Razor Of Occam - Homage To Martyrs |
Published March 31 2009
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Altar Of Corruption* |
| Genre | Blackened Thrash Metal |
Matt
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Vocals
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| Tracks | 8 |
Matt
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Guitar
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| Runningtime | 34 Min. |
Ian Shrapnel
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Guitar
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| Label | Metal Blade |
Alex
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Bass
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| Release | 13 March 2009 |
Peter Hunt
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Drums
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| Country | Germany |
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Keyboard
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| Similar artists | Belphegor, Brimstone, Witchery | ||
Do you love Thrash, do you worship melodic Black Metal? If so, pay homage to the martyrs' call to arms! Former Aussie, now English pillars of malevolent creation, are back in black, with a head crushing release; guaranteed to split you skull, and snap your spine.
I have not indulged in the intoxicatingly dark, meaty, bite of their two earlier EPs; but, this new album is mind blowing. If you fan the burning flames of Bewitched, Belphegor, God Dethroned, Necrophobic, and most blackened thrash acts, or retro-lords like Aura Noir, Infernö, Defleshed, and Witchery, then this is a no brainer. The day of wrath is nigh!
This is a piercing piece of primal expressionism. The pugilistic pattern for every song is rife with fiery riffs and blistering solos galore. These are not sloppy solos either, they are melodic strangleholds of altered vengeance and corruption. Matt's vocals are dark and raspy, but quite understandable, as he spews forth his vitriolic hate and contempt. Hearing these treasured heathens, awakens my unbound desire to play my Merciless CDs.
The unchained wolves of steel - Matt and Ian (Shrapnel) - also play in Australia's Deströyer 666; while duplicitous drummer - Peter Hunt - sounds his death knell for Marshall Law, and the speed driven, nasty - Savage Messiah.
The album begins strong with - Altar Of Corruption - suggesting that in the heat of battle, they have fallen under the Moonspell. Bite Of Dogmata sinks its teeth right into your supple, tender flesh. The unrelenting auricular assault and new, clear blast beats, feed the frenzy.
By the time Day Of Wrath arrives, or Moral Code becomes indelibly embedded in my skin, I'm instantly reminded of Sweden's Brimstone. Patiently, have I awaited these pagan sons to return and continue carving out their crimson career. Other bands that sear the mind as influential would be: Mörk Gryning, Gates Of Ishtar, Prophanity, and Dark Funeral.
The CD never lets up with one punishing track after another. Once it reaches its untimely demise, with the soul scorching - Flame Bearers and Golgothan enmity epic - Shadow Of The Cross - I'm left aching and yearning for more.
Since this album is so goddamn short, before you know it, the cerebral invasion suddenly abates. Thankfully, you can just hit play again, and the madness and mayhem reignites, as all hell awaits. I've played this album ten times already, and I've still not grown weary or bored of its blood carnage.
The production, is up to standards, with an intentional
vinyl allusion. Obviously, Razor Of Occam accept the theoretical "Law
Of Parsimony" behind their namesake: namely that - "less is
better". This heuristic model identifies with their metal code,
and that is fine by me. Bow to the Razor Of Occam!
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Performance
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Originality
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Production
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Vocals
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Songwriting
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7 |
6,5 |
7,5 |
6,5 |
7,5 |
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Summary
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7 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel |
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