This bunch have the potential to rival bands like Trivium for the new breed thrash metal stakes. And while this album has the ability to attract at the first listen, its not just pleasurable filler that gets old quick. I predict people will listening to this one for quite a while.
Inglorious Incarnation: Of Winter Born
Despite the frankly ponderous name (and not be confused with Inglorious Basterds the movie obviously) these guys do a particular line of thrash death metal. Highly technical, with touches of Testament at times, death metal vocals, but not grunt and groan shouting. This is certainly the more “approachable” end of the cluttered field. I find myself warming to this lot over a few listens, whereas with some of their ilk it just never really takes hold.
“Deeds of Long Gone” prove that the band know when to throw in the kitchen sink and they know when to just drive ahead full bore. Blast beat drumming that you can actually hear in the mix is another highlight. The band have done a good job at raising they level of their release.
Fans of intelligent death metal should take to this lot like a fly to dung. They have everything you need from this sort of band, with none of the dross that you don’t. While it might not break any new ground or be the best of its type, this is a damn good album by any standards.
Bloodbound: Tabula Rasa
I suspect the band, when naming this album, didn’t realize they might remind some of the rather lame PC game of a few years ago. I can report that this is a far better release to have this name. Its great straight ahead science fiction tinged power metal done with all the precise playing and writing you expect from the genre. “Sweet Dreams of Madness” opens the album with some tongue-twisting lyrics that would trip up even the best of vocalists. It involves the word “restlessness” and must be heard. The song brings to mind Lovecraft with its mention of cyclonia, madness and dreams.
The title track oozes class and quality as well. This album is good all round and will be enjoyed by those who enjoy that particular brand of power metal that never wanders into the morass that can be progressive metal (much though I enjoy that version of metal).
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