Before Belgian band After All started playing thrash metal, they were a rock band. Their third full-length album, 'Dead Loss', still borders on heavy metal while rocking on. I mean, there's a bloody tambourine used!

'Erase Your Past' is basically gothic rock, around the same time as Tiamat went full-on doing exactly that, and at other times sounding like a band that was heavily influenced by more metallic grunge bands, dragging those influences for a decade; this came out a bit too late when considering the grunge explosion of early 1990s. However, the gothic thing is soon dropped, as it is time for other things. Some nastier songs that contain more Black Sabbathy riffing (e.g. 'Condemned Heritage' and 'Lost/Insane') could soothe those who enjoy Alabama Thunderpussy and early Clutch. Desert rocking 'Reflection of the Light' is filled with Kyuss-tastic action. The vibes are melancholic and delirious rather than rocking out with a cock out. In all, After All came out with a rather quirky mixture, for sure.

My guess is that the songs were made with feel as the main priority, not the fluidity of a composition. These 10 songs aren't in pop music formula, but the band bring on new elements and parts every now and then. The songs do drag on for too long at times and it's mostly quite slow-moving. Instrumental track 'Rapture' starts non-distorted, but explodes into absolute space rock mayhem. One have to dig out hooks , because the band isn't throwing them for a listener.

The vocals sound quite a bit like Joey Belladonna (Anthrax), and the music is also reminiscent of his solo work. The voice isn't very powerful, but fits the dejected general feeling of the album for sure. The production is rather asphyxiated, albeit totally organic. It generally sounds cheap, but the instruments and vocals can all be heard well. I wish it was heavier, so its sludge factor would have been solidified.

It's one of those "why no name-change?" cases, and a very, very clear at that. Metallica did it other way around, but After All got thrashier as time went by. I think this is more characteristic than those polished thrash metal platter during their mid-career, though. Not bad, but certainly different.

Rating: 6+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
12/21/2024 16:57