NEAERA

'Ours is the Storm' is long-time Metal Blade signings Neaera's sixth album. And indeed theirs is a storm based on the sonically violent maelstrom they manage to whip up over the course of forty five minutes. After a short, atmospheric intro piece, 'The Deafening', the "calm" if you will, frontman Benjamin Hilleke's scream of "ours is the storm" acts as an apposite precursor to the aural chaos that ensues. Fast-paced and furious throughout, Neaera's extreme metal attack is unrelenting, aided as it is by an effective production with razor-sharp guitars and crisp sounding drums cutting through the mix with ferocious menace. Melodically dark and relentlessly aggressive, Neaera have carved a sound that combines black and death metal dynamics, some tech-thrash elements, lead guitar melodies and occasional metalcore style breakdowns, all topped off with Hilleke's alternating high and low growls. If the album's intended effect is to mercilessly batter your senses with a barrage of uncompromising heaviness then, in this, 'Ours is the Storm' succeeds. However, the unrelenting nature of the album also proves a minor weakness. With few breaks in extremity and heaviness, by the midway point it all starts to sound a little formulaic and samey. As such, there are few standout tracks; rather the album feels like one long stream of repeated techniques and motifs. Having said that, it's still an engaging listen but this is a particular work that you'll need to be in the right mood to fully appreciate otherwise I predict its unrelenting nature will have you hitting the stop button long before the final track. Still worth a bash though... and bash you it will.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Metal Blade

Album

OURS IS THE STORM

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

44:33

RELEASE DATE:

5th March 2013

TRACK LISTING

1) The Deafening; 2) Ours is the Storm
3) Decolonize the Mind
4) Through Treacherous Flames
5) Ascend to Chaos
6) Walk with Fire
7) My Night is Starless
8) Black Tomb
9) Between Us and Annihilation
10) Slaying the Wolf Within
11) Back to the Soul
12) Guardian of Ashes

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Germany

"Melodically dark and relentlessly aggressive..."