Whenever I get material for reviewing from a band I have never heard before, and their biography sheet mentions words "modern" and "metal", it often startles me a bit and definitely makes me feel uneasy. Many times in the past my fear has proven to be right. Frequently "modern metal" has meant metalcore elements or even worse, more remote influences dragged in to fuck it all up. However, many a time the word "modern" has had a much, much smaller role than the word "metal", thankfully. And this is the case with Implosion Circle.

IC started with a full length album 'Man of Contradiction' in 2009, so it took quite a long time for them to get out another release. 'The Angry and Enraged' deals five new songs. This is a bit less raw than the band's debut album was (when comparing to those three songs I managed to dig out from the debut). On this new one, the vocals are calmer, if not all tame. However, it sounds somewhat more individualistic. Talking about how this sounds like, it sounds punchy, thanks to the rhythm section, while the guitars could be more ripping. But it has been balanced well enough.

Musically, IC's new material is about German/Mid-European oppressive yet melodic thrash metal mixed with mid-paced heavy metal aesthetics. 'The Final Battle' begins with a melodic and quite epic intro, and soon enters into the melodic thrash metal territory. Catchy riffs (cool shredding at times, by the way) and oppressive melody work on the chorus with headbangable guitar solo part make a good song. Vocals-wise it is rather varying; semi-melodic and a tad raspy clean singing sounds restrained, but that shrieky hoarse voice does have fierceness in it. 'There's Nothing' catches ears with its marching tempo, before hitting a thrashier gear. Again, catchy riffs are accompanied by great harmony guitar work, which borders Gothenburg metal. The guitar solo parts are another highlight of this song. Both the bass guitar and the drums offer a lot of variety and are reliably and tightly played. How long can these guys throw cool stuff at a listener?

The title track goes into Kreator's stifling slower atmospheres after its uplifting and energetic introduction, and features the most calm singing on this release. It works better than other cleaner voices. The song continues in aforementioned lines, but still introducing new elements and different spicings, and definitely doesn't drop the quality thus far. 'Clockwork' is a groovier, somewhat Prong-like song, and the most modern-sounding one. While it contains some good melody work and guitar solo and lead parts, it pales in comparison to other songs. The closer 'Circle' is another more metallic piece, with part with guitar flute-sounds reminding of good ol' Metallica. Generally, the songwriting is rather straight (slight variations between intro, verse, bridge, chorus and solo parts). This makes IC's material catchy, but as there are quite a lot of things happening in the songs, they do not stagnate, except for 'Clockwork'.

This one and the latest Broken Fate EP 'Rising to the Dream' (2012) are both good introductions for current thrash metal (derivatives) springing out from Switzerland. Implosion Circle stick to metal more a than sometimes grooving and rocking Broken Fate. Good things going on in the underground... There are a couple on point about 'The Angry and Enraged', that might be crucial. Firstly, the vocals aren't very strong and are heavily accentuated, but still likeable for how they fit in and are rather individualistic. Secondly, generally this does offer nothing new, but is still grabbing and characteristic enough. Thirdly, it could and should pack more punch. Anyway, this kicks ass of many, many nowadays' upcoming bands, and does please my ears. I like this! And another album next time around, guys?

Rating: 7- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
12/18/2013 23:22