On first listening, Gormathon bring to mind the image of some shadowy warrior trying to surf on the backs of two crocodiles called melodic death metal and power metal who don’t like each other much and both have a tendency to thrash a bit. Can they control this stuff?
Opener ‘Remedy’ with its melodeath chug and vocals bursting into a real power metal rise indicates the positive and the actually evocative guitar break brings a swell of the epic, too. Then ‘Land Of The Lost’ hammers in with a real Samael circa ‘Passage’ semi-industrial beat, again breaking out into the wide open vistas of power metal and the foundations are laid. This is clearly what Gormathon do, and if your guts haven’t clenched at the prospect they do it real well. This is rhythm heavy highly melodic death tinged power metal, with the odd flick of thrash and a focus always on the hook-line. Special mention has to be given to ‘Break The Chains’. Cliched title aside, this begins as perfect Samael, thumps into that melodic chorus and punches the Udo-tastic tagline in with superb relish. Honest, this is a great thumper of a song. Also, add ‘Celestial Warrior’ when it reminds us of the Metallica influence verse-wise before we almost hit HammerFall territory on the chorus. As to ‘In Benevolence’, we’ll let’s just say that the chorus will hound you like a bunch of holier-than-thou monk’s on the trail of this miserable sinner.
It is fair to say that by this point if you haven’t got into the Gormathon formula (and formula it most certainly is) you probably better give up here. If you have though the album manages to remain entertaining right up until the closing track. They do need to spread their musical wings a little wider
I think, or at least shake up the variety of tempos a little more but really for a second full length that has excellent roots and superb potential, fine songs throughout and an appeal that overlaps melodeath, power and power thrash this is the best foundation to launch further up from.
Seriously, if any of those genres appeal, give Gormathon a good go ‘cos in the not too distant future there’s a fair chance that they will be over the top magnificence
(7.5/10 Gizmo)
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