The Day Of the Beast
Relentless Demonic Intrusion ()
Wydane przez Canonical Hours RecordsRok wydania Kraj USANapisał Wouter7
After four long years these Chesapeake, Virginia black/thrashers return with their second album. Like their self-titled debut these cuts combine Bay Area and Teutonic thrash metal with classic US death metal (Death, Massacre, Obituary) and black metal-ish vocal stylings. This album builds further upon the established Lovecraftian concepts initiated with their 2008 debut. With an infectious groove and excellent musicianship The Day Of the Beast is the underground answer to Boston’s renowned technical thrashers Revocation as both bands share the same basic musical foundation. This record flows masterfully, with songs that twist and turn venomously seguing seamlessly from death metal into thrash (Metallica’s "Kill ‘Em All" comes to mind) and occasionally even veering into NWOBHM territory in terms of riffing and chord progressions. The drumming of new skinskman Jeremy Bradley is wonderfully restrained with tasteful fill compositions, powerful rolls and controlled double bass work. Vocalist Steve Harris (no relation to Iron Maiden’s charismatic bassist) is his usual serpentine self and bassist Justin Shaw (ex-Arsis) can be clearly heard through out the production. In terms of composition The Day Of the Beast show some growth, as these cuts are better paced and more effectively structured. There isn’t a whole lot of difference in comparison to their debut, but it is obvious the band has undergone slight growth as composers. The bass intro to ‘The Paralyzed Hand’ is a nice touch and the screaming guitar soloing on various cuts is a definite plus. ‘Static Cesspool’ is an excellent midtempo cut that climaxes near the end. The gang shouts on some of the cuts are wholly unnecessary and instill the music with a hardcore touch it doesn’t need nor call for. The artwork by Joe Petagno (Angelcorpse, Diabolic, Krisiun, Vital Remains) is serviceable as ever. It attempts to recreate a similar barbaric atmosphere as Petagno’s breathtaking canvas for Bal-Sagoth’s second record "Starfire Burning Upon the Ice-veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule" – but it is not nearly as successful on that end.
www.canonicalhours.com
