This is Nail Within's self-titled debut album. Therefore it could be understandable, that they haven't managed to create truly "Nail Within" metal. But guys came from Betrayer and Azazel to form a band and one would believe they have something own to say, right?

'Emblazed's first riff is a gem, reminding me of newer Destruction. Then At The Gates' 'Terminal Spirit Disease' (1994) and 'Slaughter of the Soul' (1995) style stuff kick in, but that's okay. I think 'Slaughter of the Soul' is a classic. From 'Inhuman Conditions', At The Gates influence gets clearer and clearer and sadly the album starts bore after three songs. See, this is second class version of Swedish pioneers and that's not enough in this household! The band let the influence go a bit on 'My Wallow' and last three songs are also a tad more different than repeating same-old-same-old. I can hear some vague similarities with Eternal Gray, a death metal band with ex-Betrayer members. Biggest problem is that it goes in from one ear and comes out from another, hardly leaving any marks to brain in its way. Generally this is fast stuff, but slower bits here and there really liven the thing up. Guitar solos are tasteful, too. The band sounds tight on the platter.

Yishai Swearts sounds like a mixture of Kreator's Mille Petrozza and Tomas Lindberg (ex-At The Gates etc. etc.) with more gruff voice, but he can really spit out those words fast. Oh, messrs Petrozza and Lindberg guest on vocals on the album, with Salem's Zeev Tananboim (growl), Assassin's Robert Gonnella (shouts) and producer Harris Johns (clean vocals). Lyrical themes are everyday crap, especially in Israel where the band comes from, and murder stuff. Lyrics usually need some cracking and there's wrong words thrown in the texts to make it more trivial.

The Harris Johns production is clear. Guitars and bass have required bite. Drums are a bit powerless, especially snare. There's a modern edge to the sound. As is to cover art. Apparently numerous pictures layered on some graphics program... Inside pages are better than a boring cover.

Nail Within's debut doesn't do much to me. It doesn't make me happy or angry. It just plays without any effect, except boredom which easily sets in. If the band will continue (I believe they are on hold at the moment), hopefully they can come up with something more individual.

Rating: 5+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
04/28/2005 20:15