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Immolation - Shadows In The Light

Published May 09 2007


*
=Staff's pick

Hate's Plague*
Passion Kill
World Agony*
Tarnished
The Weight Of Devotion
Breathing The Dark
Deliverer Of Evil*
Shadows In The Light
Lying With Demons
Whispering Death*


Genre Death Metal
Ross Dolan
Vocals
Tracks 10
Robert Vigna
Guitar
Runningtime 41 Min.
Bill Taylor
Guitar
Label Listenable Records
Ross Dolan
Bass
Release 10 May 2007
Steve Shalaty
Drums
Country USA
-
Keyboard
Similar artists Suffocation, Bolt Thrower, Death

"With a sense of havoc that is both controlled and calculating". Someone at Listenable Records knows very well how to describe Immolation in a short sentence. I would say that Immolation is another band that could be up for composing the score to the soundtrack of the apocalypse when that time comes. This is classic and brutal American death metal we are talking about, no compromises made and the attack is forceful. Immolation have stayed true to the cause since their debut with Dawn Of Possession back in 1991, and I guess it was about bloody time that I discovered this great band.

Dark and brutal are two words that come to mind when the album clenches its teeth in with the opening Hate's Plague, and the title probably says it all? The vocals from Ross Dolan come from deep down below and are of the darker kind, although you can, not always so easy though, hear clearly what he sings, or grunts if you like.

Even if Immolation bring forth a brutal and aggressive kind of death metal they show some clear skills of a high level of musicianship. It is not only furious bashing, even if you get a good share of that, but also a more detailed playing with intrigued rhythms from Steve Shalaty on the drums and some technical playing from the rest of the band. There is a strong deliverance of the guitars from Robert Vigna and Bill Taylor that besides massive riffing also throws out some nice hooks and dazzling solos.

Whether they go forward with a furious and fast pace or moving slow they maintain the momentum in their music, and further crush everything in their way, not least with the resolute drumming. Shadows In The Light is an extremely even album, and perhaps that is the only objection I have, although the level they keep is high so it isn't any real problem.

Not that I are that well acquainted with Immolation, but I understand that they have stayed true to their style since the early days, and by how this album sound I would not like to raise my voice to object. But what I don't understand is why a band like this hasn't got any larger recognition, this is top of the line but still they move in the shadows for the masses.

See also review of: Kingdom Of Conspiracy , Providence

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

8

7

8

6

8

 
Summary



7,5 chalices of 10 - Thomas


Related links:

www.immolation.info
www.myspace.com/immolationny