XERATH
I’m thrown off balance by the odd tempo of the opening track, it sounds slightly like a ‘Lord Of The Rings’ outro to begin with but as soon as Richard Thomson’s vocals kick in on ‘Unite To Defy’ it all falls into place. Soft vocals smoothly roll alongside orchestral samples and soaring guitar work, this is a very good start. The Devin Townsend influence is apparent immediately, through the vocal style and the guitar work with the obscure timings and riffs meandering from here to there, brilliant. ‘God of the Frontlines’ and ‘Reform Part III’ both stomp their way into your brain, creating a musical black hole which swallows you entirely. Owain Williams’ guitars wouldn’t sound out of place in a Meshuggah track, or even a Pantera song with some of the chugging riffs he’s laid down. ‘The Call To Arms’ has some spectacular melody held within the pretence of a straight forward metal song, and the vocal work in this track is superb - I just found myself sticking it on repeat. ‘Machine Insurgency’ and ‘Sworn to Sacrifice’ further develop the great qualities this band have. If only the vocals weren’t quite so similar to Devin Townsend. The intro to ‘Enemy Incited Armageddon’ has a slightly Cradle Of Filth style to it, before some intense riffing breaks it down to a heavier and faster standard. The use of double bass and the orchestral samples really flow together well in ‘Nuclear Self Eradication’, whilst ‘Numbered Among The Dead’ is a slower and heavier track, set to crack a few bones in your neck. Album finisher ‘The Glorious Death’ is more of the great rhythm we’ve heard on previous tracks, only with some variation in vocals that is astounding. A really solid release, and one to try and catch live if you can.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Candlelight Records
Album
II
Review by Siobhan Hogarty
RUNNING TIME:
56:15
RELEASE DATE:
25th April 2011
TRACK LISTING
1) Unite to Defy
2) God of the Frontlines
3) Reform Pt, III
4) The Call to Arms
5) Machine Insurgency
6) Sworn to Sacrifice
7) Enemy Incited Armageddon
8) Nuclear Self Eradication
9) Numbered Among the Dead
10) The Glorious Death
2) God of the Frontlines
3) Reform Pt, III
4) The Call to Arms
5) Machine Insurgency
6) Sworn to Sacrifice
7) Enemy Incited Armageddon
8) Nuclear Self Eradication
9) Numbered Among the Dead
10) The Glorious Death
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
UK
"A really solid release, and one to try and catch live if you can."
