I remember quite badly, how the band's debut full length album 'Only Shadows Remain' sound, but counting on my review for it, I think it is not very good. I found the band's debut EP (released after the 1999 'Avatar' single) 'The Light of the Shadow' lying in a box of stuff for trade, but decided to give it a spin. That spin wasn't to be the last one...

This Dutch band nicely mix death metal, thrash metal and heavy metal. They do it in a way that is filled with energy of every one of these music genres. 'Path in the Dark' deals cards, that are hard to be beaten. It begins with death metal, but soon the thrash tendencies raise their ugly heads. The heavy metal-esque riffs and melodies remind me of Mercyful Fate, and are not crummier than that legendary band's stuff. So there's really no need to point out how catchy the song is, right? Let's jump to 'Avatar' next, because both of these appeared on 'Only Shadows Remain', as well as on the debut single 'Avatar' (1999). 'Avatar' is another goodie with some very tasty heavy metal licks and marching tempo à la Bathory. The song definitely carries some NWOBHM influences straight from the early 1980s. I like those fiery heavy metal style solos on these two songs, and also Steve Harris style bass playing they boast.

'Unfinished Business' is a heavier and more downcast song, but still contains good amount of energy. It somewhat reminds me of 'Amok' era (1995) Sentenced, when that Finnish legend was still more than a goth band. Melancholic thrasher is a good term for this song. 'Wail of the Banshee' is a more death metal style fast song, but does not lack of harmonies, and features nice classical music influenced guitar work, too. The closer 'Dying Hour' is another powerful heavy metal tinged song. All vocals on this EP are throat-ripping growling and grunting, both violent and competent, and is comprehensible with lyrics, as does the closer.

The sound is very much organic, even though the drums should have sounded more punchy, at least the snare drum. The production is packed with the energy of the band's performance, that easily reins a listener over a few weaker parts, all appearing on the three exclusive songs for this EP. Kris Verwimp's cover painting isn't his best work, but still a nice piece of art. No comment on 12-inch vinyl version's bonus tracks, because I got the CD only.

This is a far tighter package as 'Only Shadows Remain'. Twenty minutes of pure headbanging bliss filled with good to great music, and vicious energy. True fucking metal!

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
10/09/2011 18:03