Technical ability is never in question when relating to these German thrashers whom have been under the Teutonic thrash radar, criminally I might add, for years. After a couple of recent releases, ‘The Forlorn Divide’ provides another hard assaulting thrash lesson. Although, as recent albums have progressed, so has the level of refinement, especially compared to a couple of releases and I speak of ‘Dependant Domination’ in particular as that was a real slap in the face album! So much so, although not quite polished to oblivion, I find ‘The Forlorn Divide’ lacking an overall in-your-face bite, it’s become a little too well refined for me now. Admittedly, they will be foolish to return to their first couple of albums, both in sound and style, as that would be a step backward, but there is something to be said when you hear their last couple of efforts in terms of if it isn’t broke don’t fix it.
The main focus and outstanding track ‘Tribulation’ is a fine assault, raging violence is not in question here nor is the deft precision of the riffs and solos that accompany this track. ‘Impending Doom’ is also another lesson in violence, as for the remainder of the album, the tracks are very strong but don’t stick out so much. Consistency isn’t an issue, it just does have the same feel of their more recent albums.
However, that being said, there is still a lot a younger breed of thrashers can learn from this album, especially the technicality. Whether this is contrived or not, I sense there is a real effort to produce a stellar album rather than base it on natural flow, but then again, this is just me. In general, you will find this a very entertaining release and if you like the more recent Onslaught efforts, then you will easily find favour with ‘The Forlorn Divide’.
(7/10 Paul Maddison)
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