Apparently going since 1999, this is my first crossing of paths with Dutch band Onheil, who describe themselves as blackened thrash/heavy metal. Add ‘highly melodic’ in there and you’re about spot on. The melody comes mostly courtesy of Maidenesque guitar runs, the blackened from the vocals and the faster riffing and drumming but the aftertaste of an almost pagan/folk touch to me means we are closer in sound to a more headlong Amon Amarth sound oddly. Even more oddly that the clean vocals on ‘The Omega Legions’ or ‘Nature’s Wrath’ are a bit Anaal Nathrakh. So all in all a nice swirl of influences and, as they know the value of a good hook-line too this is all very spritely and engaging stuff.
Only their second full length, Storm Is Coming has a (not over) polished sound and a good fresh energy to it: Plenty of thrash and teeth in songs like ‘Wings Of Death’ with a nice innate sense of how to drop the pace to up the drama. The opening of ‘Self Destruct Mode’ just reeks of Maiden meets Amon and mixes up the vocals to excellent effect to launch into a huge hook. ‘Kill Tomorrow’ is another fine thrasher and when you hear songs that open like the excellent ‘Dronkenschap In Duisternis II’ with stop/start tight but flowering into a melodic black metal style surging riff it really is hard not to be swept away by it all.
I’ve actually heard quite a lot of stuff along similar lines over the years but Onheil definitely have the edge over most and they have a razor sharp commerciality to them. They know how to hook you in, how to vary the pace of an album to stop it blurring or boring the listener. They know their craft. The only fear I have for them is that this style can get formulaic over time. Generic. Much as I love ’em even Amon Amarth have stepped on that bear trap more than once so Onheil need to keep this sparkling eyed freshness, keep their fingers on the variety and the tempo changes and just get out there and conquer the world (or Europe at least). Storm Is Coming is a good, solid launch pad and I wish them the best because this is clearly a product of hard work, enthusiasm and belief. With fine songs the result what more do you want?
(7.5/10 Gizmo)
Leave a Reply