For a couple of young guys from the North Pole(No kidding) this
a quality release.
My first impression of this album was "wow great cover!!".
This album grows on you...when I first heard this album, I though that
hey...it's just mediocre.
But after I've listened to it for several more times, I realised that
"hey they have something gone on".
This album is recorded in just 2 sessions in the studio, but the production
is great!
There are many different vocals on this album, ska / clean / growl /
punk / rap
and the dominant "fast spoken almost to rap vocals but not quite" ala
Aeturnus,
but of course better than Aeturnus. I dun really appreciate that particular
"fast spoken" vocals.
The album opens with a average instumental number, and the second track
is a poor guide
on what this whole album is about. "Scream" is a very hardcore-like
song, but the vocals kinda
make it harder to listen to. It's in the "fast spoken" vocals which
initialy turned me off quite abit.
But it has fast and heavy guitars which should appeal to those who
won't mind the weak vocals on this track.
"No Appreciation" is another hardcore-like track with the same kinda
vocals(the "spoken fast" vocals),
there are some rap vocals in here too. A short track here just over
2 1/2 minutes!
Fast guitars heavy drums is the focus on the first 3 tracks.
Just before it came to "Lord of the Dance", I nearly stopped listening
due to the fact that I dun appreciate the vocals.
Well thank God that I didn't. This track really caught my attention,
starts off with soft strumming which transform into heavy crunchy guitars with harsh vocals this time,
it then turns into clean(singing) vocals for a verse or two...but it
doesn't let up...
the guitars continues and this songs really makes me wanna get on my
feel and start dancing!
The chorus is clean singing with the music softening down abit, it
ends a great guitar solo.
Definately one of the more outstanding tracks on the album!
"Party In Hell" reminds me of the Corpse realaudio sample that I heard
from the WWW.
Growled vocals/ low harsh vocals and there are limited(thank God) "fast
spoken" vocals in this track.
This is what I would consider Death Metal!! BUT at 3:41 this songs
tramsform into a ska tune..
which made me freeze and made my mouth go wide open...I was laughing
away...but hey it's a great effect!
It reverts back to the "death mode" after the short ska part.
"Knock Me On My Face"...not that "fast spoken vocals" again...
but hey..it sounds like the low harsh vocals occasionally if the vocalist
lowers his vocal cords
and make it heavier..that'll be great.
The vocalist sounds good on most of the vocals EXCEPT the "fast spoken"
vocals parts!!!
(If the vocalist - Luke is reading this..hope this feedback helps!).
This track, supprise supprise, transform into a punk song 4:05, the
band probably wants the same
effect ala "Party In Hell" but persoanlly I prefer "Party In Hell"
This tracks have different time changes and stuff...but on to the other
songs...
"Mummified Priest" the highlight of the album! Simply the best track
on this album.
It starts off with some plucking guitars and spoken vocals...
the guitars then kicks in and the harsh vocals comes in(YEAH).
the drumming is alrite..sadly no double bass...
I think double bass would sound great on the fast parts of this track.
Growls, grunts can all be heard on this song....makes me wanna headbang!!
The piano comes in after(about 2:20) a while thus creating a admospheric
sound.
slow doomy vocals..guitars..drumming follows the mesmerizing piano...
But don't think it stops here...the driving guitars gets back into
the motion and the headbanging starts again!
Out of the blue..rap vocals comes in making me(again) very supprised...I
din't expected this to come in!
Slow plucking comes in again and fast speech is brought to attention
again,
the guitars slowly increased in speed and volume..till it fades out!
Definately the prime cut from this album
""Ripped To Shreds" the first 4 riffs from this track sounds like "Jesus
Grind Satan's Head" from Mortification. But this song appeared in Massive Frequency Overload before...but I
wasn't impressed them at that time. But this time the songs makes me rethink my position...This band can
really come up with kewl songs! (the solo is done on a acoustic guitar then electric guitar)
But let's continue as I wanna leave space other good tracks on this
album!
"Suicide" is that real growled vocals or distorted vocals? well I don't
know but what I do know is that
if you dun have the lyrics sheet you won't be able to know what he
is singing about..the first part at least.
Guitars tuned down low and mid-paced drumming is what this songs comprises
of..
Have I mentioned that you would need the lyric sheets to know what
he's growling about.
"God of Power" urggggg my second favourate track on this album!!!!!
Starts off sounding very alternative then the heavy bass join in and,
voila, it becomes to metal!!
This track really relies on the bass guitar and "tuned to very low"
drums.
Nice melody(which I look for in a band), low vocals, fast guitars,
good time changes...
the qualities that I look for in a band are ALL in this song!!
Makes me wanna go up to the band and give them the a BIG hug for this
gem!!
ALL HAIL CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our God is a God of Power!
"Exaltation"- Initially I thought that this might be a instumental or
slow track.
Until the heavy(reads LOW) bass and drum kick in..
'Every knee shall bow, and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord'.
This is that part that gets me up and saying 'YES'..almost a really
heavy rapcore track over here...
really good melody in this song. great song to close the album.
The last track is an excellent instrumental, a little too low/bassy
in the mix,
but definately much better than the first instrumental track.
What I like abuot Dead Pharisees' instrumental is that they don't just
use acousitc guitars
but bass and the electric guitars too.
If the vocalist would brush up on his vocal...
Dead Pharisees will go a long way.
Overall a good album, quality release for a band made from youngsters in their teens
and recorded in 2 sessions!
SCORE : 7/10