Armed for Apocalypse are a band that are met with staggering praise for reasons that are simply unfathomable. Often lumped into the category of sludge, the only connection they have with the genre is loose at best. The vocals are an impressive replica of Phil Anselmo back when Pantera were at the peak of their popularity, so full marks for reproducing an already coined sound down to a tee but they fall short in every other respect.
‘The Road Will End’ is 10 tracks worth of ear bludgeoning ferocity and not in a good way. The songs feel unstructured and repetitive, whilst the remarkably familiar sounding chorals are placed so high in the mix that the instruments are a barely audible blur of noise. Thank Satan for small mercies; this album clocks in at just 41 minutes, however, if the fat was trimmed it could pass as a mediocre hardcore record. Unfortunately, this is not so and it’s a case of “never mind the road, when is this awful racket going to end?!”
The Californian four piece cannot be faulted for their drive or enthusiasm and this record is not lacking in intensity of aggression, but it requires clear definition and at times feels a lot like an overwhelming wall of noise. And one Phil Anselmo in the world is definitely more than enough for the moment.
(Angela Davey 4/10)
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