Torchbearer
Death Manifests ()
Wydane przez Vic Records/Cyclone Empire/Plastic Head DistributionRok wydania Kraj SwedenNapisał Wouter5
Despite the Opeth-alike font and the band hailing from Sweden, there isn't a lot speaking favor of Torchbearer. Fronted by Pär Johansson (Satariel) and one-man industry Christian Älvestam (ex-Scar Symmetry, The Few Against Many, Incapacity, Unmoored) this third record abides to the formula of the prior two records (2004's "Yersinia Pestis" and 2006's "Warnaments") in that it is build around a conceptual theme. Where the first record dealt with the Bubonic Plague and their second with the Battle of Jutland, this third album deals with the philosophy of Hagakure, the ways of the samurai. Combining black -, thrash – and melodic death metal with minor elements of symfo – and power metal Torchbearer has a potential cross-genre appeal, but takes neither direction to a convincing depth. It certainly forms an interesting musical palette, but it is not like a thing like this hasn't been done before. The average listener will be able to discern influenes from typical Gothenburg death metal (early In Flames, Dark Tranquillity), symphonic black metal (Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Limbonic Art) and progressive leanings (Dream Theater, Symphony X). For neophytes this wide of spectrum of styles will be interesting, but for the experienced listener it only serves to distract as it exhibits a band juggling too many styles confused on which to concentrate and fully explore. Admittedly, Torchbearer are a lot more technical than the average metal band, but technicality has been used and abused to mask a lot of other ailments in the past decade by a considerable amount of bands, new and old. Therefore it doesn't necessarily count as a pro for a band to use it in its arsenal. The production was done at Panic-Room Studios with producer/bassist Tomas "Plec" Johansson and is everything one would want or expect for a record of this particular kind. The incredible artwork was rendered by Pär Olofsson (Exodus, Immolation, Malevolent Creation, Spawn Of Possession) is in the fine tradition of their earlier works. This has been before so many times, it's tiring.
www.vicrecords.com
