fluences are still rearing their heads. However Curse Of The Red River has much more in common with neighbouring Sweden’s melodic death metal, when it was in its infancy and genuinely groundbreaking.Curse Of The Red River trades much crushing heaviness with foreboding and lush riffs. It has no give in its barrage but is never once fearful of its own melody, as the invigorating choruses of 'Our Twilight' and 'Forlorn Waves'’ earth shattering riffs would reveal.
Meanwhile, tracks like 'Flicker' whip up tornado storms of riffage only to shift harmoniously to downcast, acoustic sections. Then 'The Leer' is heaving with swift hook laden melodies, replete with a smoothing chorus. 'Ere All Perish' punishes with avalanching fret work and further guttural vocal spewing from Mikko Kotamäki.
Kotamäki’s vocals are simply stunning on this release. His growth as a vocalist has been breathtaking throughout his career, that pinnacle was edified by last year’s Swallow The Sun effort New Moon and here it’s only accentuated.
Production wise, the record is polished just right, maintaining that enthralling dark edge with shimmering clean cut guitar work.
The record sticks to its breathtaking guns throughout, particularly so when it culminates on the inexorably building and awe inspiring crescendo of 'Deserted Morrows'.
Barren Earth have struck down a hefty gauntlet with this record, especially considering its ‘side project’ status. With this much exhilarating music stacked in nine tracks, the future looks set to be an exciting one. There’s not one superfluous track on Curse Of The Red River, it’s chock full of sharp and poignant moments, all without cessation.
Kotamäki’s vocals are simply stunning on this release. His growth as a vocalist has been breathtaking throughout his career, that pinnacle was edified by last year’s Swallow The Sun effort New Moon and here it’s only accentuated.
Production wise, the record is polished just right, maintaining that enthralling dark edge with shimmering clean cut guitar work.
The record sticks to its breathtaking guns throughout, particularly so when it culminates on the inexorably building and awe inspiring crescendo of 'Deserted Morrows'.
Barren Earth have struck down a hefty gauntlet with this record, especially considering its ‘side project’ status. With this much exhilarating music stacked in nine tracks, the future looks set to be an exciting one. There’s not one superfluous track on Curse Of The Red River, it’s chock full of sharp and poignant moments, all without cessation.
8/10
No comments:
Post a Comment