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In the summer of 216 BCE, Hannibal led his troops through the Alps and into Italy, where they defeated the mighty Roman army in one of history's most celebrated military achievements: The Battle Of Cannae.
While legend speaks of the intimidation factor posed by the arrival of an invading force riding elephants, the truth is that the elephants were dead before the battle began. The victory of Hannibal and his motley troops over the superior Roman forces taught an important lesson that remains a staple in the canon of military education to the present: more troops, better equipment and more sophisticated training does not ensure victory. Where these factors can put an army in a better position to succeed, war is often won or lost in the intangibles, such as a fierce dedication and unity of purpose.
In a sense, Hannibal's conquest over the sophisticated Romans is reminiscent of what CANNAE is doing on a different terrain. The Boston-based quintet's highly anticipated sophomore release, "Horror, " features technically spectacular playing and production by one of underground music's most respected producers, Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz (From Autumn To Ashes, Killswitch Engage, Every Time I Die), but ultimately, it's the music's relentless ferocity and kinetic riffage that has helped CANNAE rise to the top of New England's saturated hardcore and metal scenes.
From the early days of Sam Black Church, Gang Green and Slapshot to contemporary scenesters like Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and Diecast, the Boston area has produced some of the finest, fastest and heaviest acts around. Featuring ex-Forty Days Rain and Grimlock members, CANNAE burst onto the scene in 2000 with a snarling debut album, "Troubleshooting Death" (originally released on Eastcoast Empire, later re-released on Brutal Records), ripping through blistering speed and thunderous breakdowns amidst a wall of controlled chaos and overwhelming screams. CMJ praises the album: "making the likes of Coalesce and Converge seem laid back by comparison, CANNAE dishes out unbridled, two-guitar chaos-core." Recorded by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou (Cave In, Converge, American Nightmare), "Troubleshooting Death" established the band as a fierce act and landed them on the best heavy music shows in New England. Establishing their live reputation through countless gigs and commanding main stage performances at the world famous New England Metal & Hardcore Festival, CANNAE soon found themselves heading out on tours with current high-profile Metal bands all across the country.
"Horror" is the second installment of aural obliteration from the CANNAE camp. Bursting with double-bass, sinister guitar pyrotechnics and plenty of screaming bloody murder, "Horror" fulfills the promise of the band's debut and devastating live performances. The album is already being hailed as a classic in American metal, with Unrestrained! magazine calling it "a relentless rampage of heinous emotions unraveling at grinding speed that'll surely scare the bejeezus out of many who come in contact with it."
A crushing sophomore album in their holster, a pissed off elephant to ride (figuratively speaking) and a collective goal of sonic annihilation, CANNAE are more than poised to scare the bejeezus out of America - they're setting out to destroy it.
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