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The Gauntlet: As Hope Dies |
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As Hope Dies Album Review
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Tracklist
1 Distant Memory
2 Birthplace And Burial Site
3 My Words To You
4 Awaken
5 To Mend The Wounds Of A Plagued Heart
6 Letters Of Our Existance
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Ravaging new school black metal with chaotic fretwork and savage blasts of percussion are the order of the day as Southern California's As Hope Dies launch a diabolical, sonic nuclear storm of fury and castigation. And while this sadly now defunct ensemble delivers torrid blasting rampages, there remains a true sense of mellifluous tonality. Axe grinders Mike Madriga and Justin Smith blaze across the boards on dark anthems such as "In The Presence Of That Evening" with Maiden like precision uncommon in the works of many of their contemporary peers. The coarse shrieks imparted by David Richardson on "Led Astray" are filled with blackened anguish and rancor. On the title track, the band marches forth, armed with discordant venom and striking with brutal definitude. "A Life Dead To Love" is ravenous from start to finish, featuring superlative double kick blasts, while "Deceived" cuts as sharply as a razor, frantic and supreme. It is a great pity that this group disbanded shortly subsequent to the release of this epic pogrom. At certain points these guys call the best of ATG to mind without ever imitating that influential act. The vibe is there but these young metallers manage to pull off that vibe in an original manner. A coldness surrounds their art that will touch you like the frosts of Norwegian fields and their soon to be released follow up record will certainly place them in serious contention for the throne of the Black Metal genre. However, turmoil makes for supreme composition and the frustrations surrounding the group must have surely fueled the fire inherent in this nefarious masterwork. But for all of the chaos which surrounded the band during this time period, this record is that much stronger and fans of black metal will certainly appreciate this record, for it is truly a pernicious showpiece of the black arts.
Review by: Erin Fox
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