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Tracklist
01. Drained
02. Blood Tiles
03. Heroin
04. Insanity
05. Will To Power
06. Grey
07. Heretic
08. The Delusion
09. War Hog
10. The Unsung
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Face Down has streamlined their sound on 'The Will To Power', coming across with a much more modern approach to sonic desolation, wrapping Mesuggah, Slayer, Pantera and In Flames into a great big ball of gnarly chaw and spitting the whole grizzly thing out with an thundering, abrasive intensity.
The band is touted as a supergroup of sorts, sporting members of The Haunted, Construcdead and General Surgery, this pedigree being highly apparent in the musicianship and songwriting skill of the group, whereas the delivery is nothing like one would anticipate from a combination of such influences.
This Stockholm quartet has been around for quite some time, first making an appearance when Joacim Carlsson (Afflicted, General Surgery) joined the band in 1994 and their experience shows in varied songwriting that covers a broad scope of metal styles. Fans that embraced Pantera in the nineties will find as much to enjoy about this record as those who have grown up on 'As The Palaces Burn.' A great mix coupled with a powerful production is highlighted on the album's title track, a massive metal cut that is driven by a gargantuan, mid-paced tempo.
Vocalist Marco Aro returned to the Face Down fold, having departed from The Haunted and the singer's delivery is much more effective here than with the notable thrash ensemble. Slower tempos suit his voice in a much better fashion as the stream-of-consciousness sounding 'Grey' and edgy, crunchy 'Heroin' put Aro's snarling vocals upfront. 'Grey' is also an excellent example of this band's ability to write a strong hook without being cliché in doing so.
'Blood Tiles' displays solid chunking and complex tempo switches that lead to a very memorable chorus. While Face Down set out to challenge the listener with complexity, they include this higher order of composition with powerful grooves and headbanging rhythms that hold the attention of the listener.
This release should be on the list of gifts to pick up for any serious metalhead that enjoys harsh, power grooving metal issued with a good degree of skill. Face Down is a band to keep an eye out for in 2006 as the band tours in support of this thoroughly crushing effort.
Review by: Erin Fox
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