Hailing from Norway, a place more famous for its church burnings than Christian metal bands, the now reduced to a trio group have released four albums prior to this one. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve never crossed paths with them before, even though they’ve been around for nearly 20 years, but shall probably be seeing about giving their back catalogue a good listen after this. Their current release falls squarely into the technical death metal category with black metal sensibilities and plenty of jazzier breaks and long sweeping solos, among other things, to keep things vibrant and changing.
While all three are listed as doing vocals, they are Peter Espevoll’s sole duty and they range from glorious clean, with harmonies from the others, to well growled death vocals that are easily comprehended and the occasional black metal rasps. Ole Børud takes care of all the bass and guitar requirements, with David Husvik on the drums.
The opening riff of “Betrayal” has me immediately thinking of Testament’s “Practice What You Preach”, but that quickly subsides as the riff is replaced with a choppy one and gruff vocals over powerful drumming. The very Believer-like breakdown has extremely well sung clean vocals, which lack thereof, I think was sadly Believer’s biggest shortfall.
The chunky guitar and tribal drum pattern on “Open the Gates” quickly alters to an almost prog-like meandering lead with the vocals varying from death roars to choral harmonies.
“Wastelands” goes from blasting to jazz offbeats in the blink of an eye, and the vocals do their own thing regardless of the music which fades out on an acoustic guitar.
The second guitar melody on “A Gift Beyond Human Reach” is used by the clean vocals, but the heavier guitars and vocals are what well and truly carry the song, while on “Faltering Moves” it’s the melodies, choral vocal harmonies and stupendous lead rather than growls and manic riffs that do the same.
The bouncy rhythm of “Behold the Sun” swings from insane to laid back with such psychotic efficiency that even the pauses add to syncopation.
“Dawn of Redemption” is a slow, atmospheric, instrumental track that builds as layers of guitars and brushed cymbals are added as it progresses.
As a complete contrast, “Ministers” is a kick in the balls with its death vocals, frantic drum beats and aggressive guitars, all tempered with the odd groove and break down.
A lightly picked guitar morphs into a black metal triplet over blasting drums and harmonious clean vocals on “Extol”, but when the guitars and drums slow down the vocals get heavier taking on a black metal rasp.
The final track, “Unveiling the Obscure”, again has heavier vocals over melodic guitars and slow drumming, along with clean vocal harmonies and chunky guitars, and finally heavy vocals and guitars to end the album on a blistering note.
(7/10 – Marco Gaminara)
28/07/2013 at 4:04 pm
You are wrong Peter only does harsh vocals . Ole handles those angelic cleans and David adds some clean and screamed vocals as well. Amazon album.