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Lacuna Coil - Delirium (Century Media Records/2016)

7/30/2016

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Despite the poor reviews lurking, I happen to differ in my perception of this sort of "concept" album if you want to call it that.  It's a 4-some now as opposed to what the band was in the past in their lineup.  Nevertheless, the band managed to create some pretty unique sounds with that dropped guitar tuning and the fluctuation/trade offs between Cristina and Andrea.  So what if the album is slow!  Read the lyrics and put them to the music it works out well, a good sounding release though people are more used to keying in on 'Broken Crown Halo', 'Dark Adrenaline', etc.  This IS the new lineup, some fantastic guest lead guitar-work.  As usual, I enjoyed hearing Cristina but it is a good combo.  I think you would still put this in the "alternative metal" category, there were no fast bits to any of this.

If you take the time to read the words they depict an old sanitarium in Northern Italy songs about the afflicted and ghosts, hence "Ghost In The Mist."  I can see how critics can just bust this apart and say that they're fed up with Lacuna Coil because they're not necessarily inventing anything new or original.  I'd have to disagree with that, I think they were aiming for a new sound on this, and the vocals work well with the music.  I'd admit I like 'Broken Crown Halo' a little bit more, but every time I listen to this, the lyrics come alive and the lyrics sang blissfully and hoarse the trade offs I wanted to hear a more heavy sound but they don't really go much in the acoustic guitar range.  It's better to listen to this on headphones because you can really hear the riffs and piece together that with the vocals.

I couldn't believe such low scores from a better than average album.  Cristina was pumping this album up on social media (Instagram is what I have, no more Facebook) and rightfully so.  I thought they'd get a better response seeing so many record sales on the Billboard Chart when this was released in May of this year.  Honestly, it took several listens to in order to take a liking to it but I'm definitely a fan of it.  Not to simply jump on the bandwagon promoting the band, but after reading the words everything made sense.  It was those dark tales and the music does fit with the lyrics/vocals.  I know that yes it's slow and seems to be repetitive, but not if you keep an open mind to hearing a different approach to what you're used to from hearing this band.  A change, but a positive change.

Well hearing this repeat after repeat I'd have to conclude that if you're not in the right mood to hear alternative metal, this isn't for you, or at least for now.  You really have to be in an approach to where you're up for chill metal and aggressive vocals by Andrea.  Cristina's voice is just fantastic as usual, it's a little toned down as they are getting older but I'm not justifying say "hey, it's okay of an album since they're getting older and mellowing out."  I say "no, they're not mellowing out, I think they just wanted a different approach musically and conceptually."  "Ghost In the Mist" is my favorite track, but I liked all of the songs.  I'm sure they did make a lot in record sales but it still would be a good idea to purchase this album and give it a fair shake.  I liked it, but it's one that has to grow on you.

Rate: 80%.

Reviewed By: Death8699 ([email protected]).
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Krisiun - The Great Execution (Century Media Records/2011)

7/27/2016

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Another brutal ousting by this Brazilian trio, pure extreme death metal though not as extreme as earlier days such as 'Conquerors of Armageddon', though still heavy as hell.  There are tracks that are a bit slower in tempo, but still blast beating is there accompanying the fast guitar bits.  Moyses never ceases to amaze on the fretboard with his fantastic leads whizzing up and down the guitar.  The rhythms are catchy, original and HEAVY.  A lot of the songs are varied.  I couldn't get much into the lyrics but the music is fantastic.  The thickness of the main guitar I became a quick fan of this album.  They still are kicking butt after years in the industry.  I'd say this is their best newest album, though they do have one that came out in 2015.  'The Great Execution' has got balls to it!

Tired of boring and repetitive death metal that really gets nowhere?  Well it's ended now if you hear this one.  It seems like pretty much anything I pick up by Krisiun is good, even though they do change things around.  That's alright though, they do diversify, but not on here.  Their approach is intense.  Also, there was a guest vocalist on here that sounded like Glen Benton of the new but it wasn't.  It's near the end of the record.  Anyway, these guys show the metal community that there is no compromise when it comes to Krisiun.  They are stricken full of energy and original guitar riff writing.  Moyses does a fantastic job with his heavy riffs written here.  It's just variety, though the whole album is THICK.  I really enjoyed this entire release.  I think that they will have something more in store for fans.

The vocals by Alex are hoarse, taken about via 'Conquerors...' and 'The Southern Storm', still low end spewed forth.  The production quality was fantastic.  Everything fits together all instruments and vocals.  It was solid and well mixed.


Don't just listen to this on YouTube, own the physical copy!


Rate: 95%.


Reviewed By Death8699 ([email protected]).
 
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Abbath - Abbath (Season of Mist/2016)

7/11/2016

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With fans wishing the return of Immortal after the great "All Shall Fall" and fans learning of their departure as a band altogether, Abbath acquiring his trio in his strong self-titled release for 2016.  Very Norwegian and Immortal-esque, you've got the thrash guitar sound with the aura of production mist or echo to it.  It's rather grim like Immortal with a twist to it.  The vocals are the same, quite unique and Abbath-stricken.  I enjoyed this album immensely.  It's got everything that I hoped it would be, dark, thrashy, rhythmic fantastic and all different time-changes.  Not to mention heavy in some places, but overall it's quite solid.  Abbath is all over the fret-board here.  It has an Immortal-soul feeling to it.  The music is what drew me the most of it towards.  It's quite good and original and Abbath has created some fantastic riffs to his songwriting.  Even the lyrics are quality.

I'd say that this is a continuation of where Immortal left off just with different members and Abbath doing pretty much all of the songwriting.  What to look for in this release?  Everything that I mentioned and more: owning the physical copy of it!

Rate: 9/10.

Reviewed By: Death8699 ([email protected]).
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