I have to say, that this album's cover artwork got me. The lyrical aspect here is that the human race is a slave race, run by a lizard race. Conspiracy theory stuff, you know? Politicians are masked or shapeshifting lizards or lizard folk's puppets, we the people are enslaved by rulers via wars and by banks via debt etc. Well, if you take a look at the sad state of world today, these conspiracy theories fit like a glove. However, the human race is probably just so greedy and stupid to cause these curses on itself. Well, of course the religions have an explanation too: this lizard race is demonic! Fuck, think how much some people have done money with these conspiracy theories... Whatever is your viewpoint, there's meaning in the lyrics.

While these topics aren't anything too new in metal music, but neither very common, Italian band Ragestorm's debut album surely also lacks of any innovativeness. They have played death/thrash metal with a heavy metalcore influence since 2004. I'm only familiar with their third 'The Passion' demo from 2009. When compared to 'The Passion', this is definitely more advanced. But when compared to their general musical style, it's nothing new, really.

Guitar work here is filled with Swedish influences. There's heavy and hammering riffage à la At The Gates and their peers, thrashing riffs in vein of Carnal Forge and who knows how many similar bands, and melodic lead guitar stuff like In Flames introduced it in 1994. Ragestorm have some good riffs, some okay riffs, but also forgettable ones. This can clearly be heard on 'Idiocracy' for example, which has a catchy melody, but otherwise it's simply bland. Then, the metalcore elements... Breakdowns, low-tuned guitars and beats typical to the genre are all rather heftily present on the album. Some streetwise attitude can also be sensed. The music happens in territories from fast to mid-paced.

The songs aren't waterproof, but leaks can be heard here and there. However, I still consider it as a no bad idea to try and build something else than any typical kind of compositions. This immediately starts with the opener 'The Meatgrinder Theory', which is a very amorphous song indeed, and totally acts like a double-edged sword here: You'll go on listening to this or then not. This aggro-metal song is followed by more Gothenburg-ish 'Debt Ritual'; now we got melodies! While 'Polysilico...' offers fastest double bass drumming on the album, 'Moloch' is a groove metal piece. And then it's back to Gothenburg... And let's throw this card to the table next: 'Interlude: Hari Seldon's Speech' is an electro/techno piece. So, the album isn't very tight nor uniform, but that's not saying it wasn't listenable, if you're up to listening to another melodic death metal/Gothenburg style album. The vocals are mainly excruciating metalcore screaming and barking growling, that often feel powerless, and sound like it was sung while having a potato in mouth. There's also lower growling. Plus that Hari Seldon speech... If you're wondering who the hell he is, he's a character in Isaac Asimov's "Foundation" book series.

The album is fully self-produced. While guitars are definitely metal and guitarists' skills are good, it's a sad thing that they are overshadowed by loud drums, that are heavily triggered. It depends on beats how badly the drums obfuscate other elements. The triggering also makes the drums sound too machiney. The bass is fat and well audible in the mix, but does not clash with the guitars. The biggest con is the metalcore style vocals, which sound like they were recorded in a small closet. In conclusion the album does partly sound good for a self-production, but it surely has its faults, and it does look nice with its professionally printed covers.

It fully depends on listener's experience with these styles, how much one can appreciate Ragestorm's material. It's all been heard before. The songwriting isn't flawless. There's no killer tunes. Generally, it's not very memorable. It has quite vicious performances from the band, but it's not very characteristic. By honing the their compositions and adding different vocals, Ragestorm might be able to take a step or two further up.

Reviewed by Lane
03/05/2014 14:49

How can this album possible get a 5½?! I've enjoyed this the whole way through. There were some peaks and valleys, but I felt that musically the double genre of death/thrash is quite unique. You have low burly vocals mixed with high-end screams with music appeasing me at least for that much. This Italian based band I've discovered by chance that it was sent to me without any idea of how much I appreciated the full-length. There was one song I felt that they could've left out but other than that, a gem of a release. What caught me aside from the vocal aspect was the guitar riffs. I liked the tone the crunch aspect of it all.

I appreciated the overall essence of the album. The vibe and riffs. It was more thrash based than death, but all in all it was a great encore of metal music Italian style. These guys knew what they were doing musically though many people seemed that they were at fault and not at all on course to the making of this release. I however, felt that it a very strong release that made it's way in the genres wholeheartedly. An effort that shines bright in metal an how music like this was possible to metal it sure showed itself on here. The only beef I had was one song that I don't think was appropriate for the album. So I took points off for that.

The sound production was illustrious. The quality shared a mark in this mixing and they put all 52+ minutes into this wholesome release of death/thrash. I believe that it was an ABSOLUTELY killer release which I cannot fathom why the press failed them on here. But I'm to speak of my opinion of this album. They deserve more credit to this get together of genres mixed. I though it to be well dished out. The songs were solid, the riffs were SICK and the songs overall were well done nuff-said! This album I didn't think would really hit home with me, but in fact it did more than just that. It sparked more interest in Italian metal bands.

Anyway, don't listen to the critics, listen to the vocals and the riffs. They will blow you away, YES! I enjoyed this whole release and I'm curious to hear more from the band since this one is their debut full-length. It shows that they're active, so I just wonder what's going on with them since it's almost 8 years since their debut (this one). Check them out, pretty killer material!

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Death8699
05/29/2021 17:12