Node - Das Kapital

*=Staff's pick	War Goes On* Twenties* Outpost The East-Ghost Das Kapital Retreat '42* Weaknessphere The Plot Sickens One Way Media Empire* Few Words Again

Genre	Thrash/Death Metal	Daniel Botti	Vocals
Tracks	11	Daniel Botti	Guitar
Runningtime	52 Min.	Gary D´Eramo	Guitar
Label	Scarlet Records	Klaus Mariani	Bass
Release	15 March 2004	Marco Di Salvia	Drums
Country	Italy	-	Keyboards
Similar artists	Darkane, Soilwork, In Flames

Technical and melodic death metal isn't what I expect from an Italian band but these guys does it rather well. Node manages to combine technical death and a thrash approach with a melodic sense where the verses are of the aggressive kind and the refrains mostly contains a good melody, still in the angry vein though.

The album was recorded in Sweden and that is perhaps why they have a very Scandinavian sound. The thrash elements can be drawn towards the American scene but when most of the music is of the melodic death metal the Swedish metal bands are the ones I hold as closest comparisons. It is no question about that the guys in Node are capable of handling their instruments, there is nothing wrong with the technical or the faster parts in the music, the problem is just that the songs doesnt hold up material wise. Retreat '42 with a great lead part and the fast track Few Words Again are the exceptions since those two actually holds straight through, but they are still not good enough to save the album.

Node also goes with the daring move to record a cover of the classic Queensrÿche track Empire, it is great to hear that they have stayed close to the original version. Only adjustment is the more metal approach and with "harder" guitars and death style vocals. They does it with the honour and it is one of the better tracks on the album, but as always the original is the better one. If you are about to make a cover, take one where the original vocals isn't done by Geoff Tate, I cant imagine a Queensrÿche song without his voice, and I don't want to.

Das kapital is the fifth album from Node and it is a concept album which story is told with sarcasm regarding the political conflicts of the last century, and in that sense I guess the track Empire can fill a purpose with its political message. The album is no more than ok even if it is well done at all parts. They have some serious great leads and harmonies but in general the songs doesnt reach all the way.

Production	Vocals	Compositions
8	5	6

Summary
5 chalices of 10 - Thomas