Brazilian deathcore band Hammathaz have been regularly churning out some music since their formation in 2003. After about 17 years of the band going on, the debut album 'The One' was released. It was certainly a long time coming and one would perhaps expect something a bit extraordinary with it...

However, the band's trade is rather blunt metalcore with melodic death metal elements. They've reduced the melodic elements, which never were very big anyway, from the past releases. So this is more about rhythmics and beating, not so much about anything else. The song 'Bringing Hell' has an unlucky fate to be depicted first: It is a repetitive piece with low-tuned churning riffing, some guitar shrieks and a calmer 'This Love' (Pantera) style guitar solo part, which happens to last for under a minute. No matter how loud your drums are (they are loud here, believe me!), a seasoned metalhead requires something more, thank you! And the thing is, it does not end here, the empty rattling can; the band tend to churn out almost djenty riffage (djent so often is just sewage to me, to tell the truth), sometimes more groovy, and blast those booming drums all over it. So much of it has been heard so many, many times already.

There are some pros to this. The rhythmic quality is pretty good (sadly about the riff-quality); almost some Mudvayne-ish, grabbing ability. There are some cool lead guitar bits. When these two are utilized the best way, like on the opener and the closer, Hammathaz do not sound so unvaried. 'Farewell' is the best, varying, songwriting on the album, easily. The shout/growl vocals are powerful, more death metal style and no whining here (it's metalcore after all; the lyrics are mostly about self-disgust). The performances are energetic; the drumming is cool and must be influenced by late Vinnie Paul. The production is clear and blaring, which is okay to me, I only do not like processed loud drums that much. Plus I like the cover art (Sonata Arctica's 'Silence', anyone?!).

I find this kind of churning deathcore stuff quite empty, even though I hear the guys truly trying here. While this has its moments, but the humdrum is greater; not much memory imprints left by this...

Rating: 4½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
06/07/2022 10:24