DAMIEN THORNE
Although Damien Thorne were formed back in 1983, ‘End Of The Game’ is surprisingly only their fourth full length album. It has a slightly dirty, rough feel that complements their classic heavy metal and old school thrash sound. The opening tracks ‘The Clincher’, which rides along on a nice groove reminiscent of early Sabbath, the faster more up tempo NWOBHM-esque ‘Face Reality’ and ‘Me Against The World’, provide the album with a promising start. Unfortunately, as the album progresses, it starts to sound tired, formularised and, ultimately, very boring. Even the title is uninspiring and unoriginal, coming across as ripping off the most recent Megadeth album ‘Endgame’, who themselves are a big influence on the band's overall sound. In spite of some decent riffs ‘End Of The Game’ suffers badly from being too disjointed, generally lacking dynamics and not helped by Martin Debourge's largely unadventurous, painfully average and annoying vocals. Particularly unimpressive are his sneering imitation of Dave Mustaine on ‘Indulgence’ and ‘Fistful Of Regret’. ‘Träume’, on the other hand, brings out the best from Debourge. Ironically his voice is the highlight of what is otherwise an ordinary track. On a more positive note the time changes work well on the more energetic ‘Not Without A Fight’, making this seven minute epic the standout track. I found ‘End Of The Game’ a frustratingly disappointing metal by numbers album, especially as I am certain that with improved vocal melodies, more straightforward tunes and repeating the groove evident on the opening track, Damien Thorne are capable of producing much stronger material. Diehard old school thrash and metal fans may like ‘End Of The Game’ and should at least give it a chance but for everyone else this is one album to avoid.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Jackal Productions
Album
END OF THE GAME
Review by Dave Crewe
RUNNING TIME:
62:51
RELEASE DATE:
23rd April 2011
TRACK LISTING
1) The Clincher; 2) Face Reality
3) Me Against the World
4) Fire
5) You'll Come Around
6) Indulgence; 7) Tarantula
8) Fistful of Regret
9) End of the Game
10) Not Without a Fight
11) Psychosis; 12) Curtain Call
13) Traume
14) Escape of Die 2012
3) Me Against the World
4) Fire
5) You'll Come Around
6) Indulgence; 7) Tarantula
8) Fistful of Regret
9) End of the Game
10) Not Without a Fight
11) Psychosis; 12) Curtain Call
13) Traume
14) Escape of Die 2012
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
USA
"In spite of some decent riffs ‘End Of The Game’ suffers badly from being too disjointed, generally lacking dynamics and not helped by Martin Debourge's largely unadventurous, painfully average and annoying vocals."
