Godless Rising
Battle Lords ()
Wydane przez Moribund RecordsRok wydania Kraj USANapisał Wouter8
Those who don't like the current course of Vital Remains and long for the days of "Let Us Pray" and "Into Cold Darkness" can rest assured and blindly purchase this new record by Rhode Island death metallers Godless Rising. "Battle Lords" is the band's first full length venture for underground death/black metal label Moribund Cult Records (Drawn & Quartered, Hacavitz, Xasthur). The Vital Remains similarity is no coincidence as well as Jeff Gruslin (vocals), Paul Flynn (guitar) and Justin Flynn (bass) all were part of the first line-up of that band. In style and execution "Battle Lords" is similar to the earlier mentioned Vital Remains albums, but appropriately for the times Godless Rising have evolved along with the production values. Godless Rising here continues in the style of "Into Cold Darkness" and expands upon the palette of that album. Jeff Gruslin is still very recognizable and the eerie riffing has remained intact, although there's no conflicting riff style which made "Into Cold Darkness" an instanct classic. Tracks such as 'Lair Of the Cerberus', 'Ancient Grave Lands' or 'Conflict From Within' all stand tall, but there's no real stand-out track to be found here. The production here reminds of Monstrosity's "Rise to Power" mixed with Vital Remains' own "Into Cold Darkness". The artwork and lay-out by Chris Moyen are a bit on the unspectacular side, but it at least avoids of the corny Satanic imagery of their 2006 debut EP "Rising Hatred" on Pathos Productions. A very promising start for a band that could potentially reach great things. Anybody who likes old school US death metal done the right way should give this record a well-deserved listen.
www.godlessrising.com
