Oh my...my ears. I haven't felt this sort of ear splitting pain since the last SNAPCASE disc.
I am rarely impressed by heavier bands that sound like this, but what sets these guys apart
from most of their peers is that they actually know how to write tunes and have some sort
of direction, rather than just throwing a ton of riffs together and hiring a cookie monster style
'singer' to deliver a completely un-discipherable message.
The first thing about this disc that caught my attention is that 1) Devin Townsend produced
and engineered it, and as any of you who may know how much I WORSHIP the ground this
kid walks on, this is a definite plus for the band (Please check out Townsend's work - IT'S
MIND BLOWING!!!!). 2) I've heard this band can play very well and aren't strickly a bunch of
thrashers barking 'songs' at you. 3) Chris Poland (ex-Megadeth, OHM guitarist) guests on
'Purified'. So that made me immediately want to hear this disc. I have to say that this sort
of music is an aquired taste, but once you get used to it, the rewards are very gratifying. I
was very impressed with the songwriting, though a bit one dimensional at times, the riffs
were terrific, the musicianship tight, and the production top notch (I didn't expect any less).
Opening track's 'Ruin', 'As The Palaces Burn', and 'Purified' are slamming, no-nonsense
thrash metal gems that rival anything the mighty Slayer puts out (no disrespect boys - EVER).
Fans of HATEBREED, SLAYER, MORBID ANGEL, and OPETH will find this disc in their players for a LONG
time. This is serious, no-frills metal played by a band who have done more than their homework.
