Tempted to say that Forgotten World is an apt title here as this album is actually from 2007 and was remastered last year and the band is defunct. Now the question this always brings to my mind is…why re-release it? Is it revered but unavailable? Has it been locked in contract hell? Or did it simply, in the opinion of the band not get the attention it deserved, which I suspect is the thought in many bands’ minds who do this.
Which is tricky because in this case, in my opinion, this is what it is and nothing more. I would also recommend you check out the current band of 3 of the 4 members here, the progressive metal band NewBreed.
But this is Angerpath and they were exactly the kind of technical death metal band that kinda pushed me away from death metal. Opener ‘Forbidden Voice For All’ lays out the template for the entire album; furious drumming, growled vocals, progressive chords, choppy riffs and the odd bit of discordant noodling. I mean they are clearly accomplished musicians, absolutely no doubt on that. And they work really well together too but unless you’re a musician is there anything for you? Well sadly for me not a great deal; ‘Hope’ adds a bit more atmosphere but the chopping riff and unvarying vocals kind of stomp on that. The title track has a little nod to Icon period Paradise Lost before the speed grinds it into techy choppy dust.
Aaaagh, this is so hard. The production is pretty good I guess- not overly slick, a little grit in the mill – but absolutely nothing sucks me in. It is what it is. Very well played tech death with a lack of songwriting hooks.
But maybe that tells you as much about me. If you are a tech deathhead then give it a spin – you may well find something in this impenetrable wall of riffing and constant chopping that I can’t as I admit this is not my forte and I just clenched my teeth and let it spin a few more times.
Sorry guys. Clearly fine musicians but just not for me at all.
(4/10 Gizmo)
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