Heavy with hints of thrash, hardcore, metalcore, southern metal, and probably a few more that I am forgetting; the Showdown certainly threw everything except the kitchen sink into the mix, a little bit for everyone. Unfortunately, this attempt to be everything to everyone backfires a bit as it leads to a lack of overall focus. What are they trying to be? What audience is this for? Sure, there are those that just have a desire for heavy music, and this will fill the bill, but it does not lead to a memorable experience.
The further in that I got, the more something jumped out at me. The Showdown reminds me an awful lot of Shadows Fall by way of Pantera. Listen to the album and tell me you don't hear the same. This is not meant, necessarily, as a negative, but it does cast a certain light on the band. It is a light that brings a "been there, done that" feel to them. What they do is solid, but it does not jump out as being all that fresh.
Songs of note: "Aphrodite - The Disillusionaire," "Prometheus - The Fires of Deliverance," "Aries - I Am Vengeance," and "Medea - One Foot in Hell".
Bottomline. Not great, but definitely solid. This is a good album to put on if you just want a little something heavy playing without the need to overexert yourself listening to it. It won't disappoint, but not necessarily thrill.
Mildly Recommended.
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