Page 89 - Metal Hammer Issue 334 - UK (May 2020)
P. 89
ALBUM REVIEWS
Nightwish haven’t been technical and experimental
lounging around since
Endless Forms… brilliance, such as the
Fallujah-esque atmospherics
of Spiritually Transmitted
Disease or the instrumental
pieces that allow the guitar
work to truly shine, the
album as a whole suffers
AD INFINITUM from a severe lack of
Chapter I: Monarchy memorability. Predictable
NAPALM passages of stereotypical
Swiss symphonic metallers bring slam and monotonous
history to the boil vocals detract from the
Compelling, elegant impact. Sure, it’s an
theatrics abound on this explosive listen, but the
debut effort – a punchy subgenre has evolved far
symphonic metal gift for beyond just being brutal
history geeks. From the for brutal’s sake.
haunting Infected Monarchy QQQQQQQQQQ
to the palatial Marching On FOR FANS OF: Artificial
Versailles, Melissa Bonny Brain, Fallujah, Gorguts
instantly establishes her JAMES WEAVER
authority with a truly
stunning vocal range
delivering songs inspired by
the black death. Axeman
Adrian Theßenvitz wields
a rapturous solo for
Maleficent, a frenetic drum
display drives I Am The
Storm and a gorgeous
storytelling turn emerges AUGUST BURNS RED
through Fire And Ice. Guardians
Purpose-built for a live FEARLESS
setting, Live Before You Die Pennsylvania’s metalcore veterans
brings a crowd-rousing still firing on all cylinders
energy neatly emphasised After 18 years and two
by the sassy Revenge. With Grammy nominations,
heavenly vocals flanked by August Burns Red are still
glittering riffs throughout, finding ways to expand
Ad Infinitum have made and embellish metalcore’s
a confident start to an well-trodden template.
undoubtedly bright future. Almost every track here is
QQQQQQQQQQ a beast, underpinned by
FOR FANS OF: Nightwish, frenetic technicality, with
Amaranthe, Epica, Visions the band wringing both
Of Atlantis
nostalgia and new ideas
ALI COOPER out of choruses and riffs
that comes armed with enticing solos and booming urgency of The Green, and as easily as squeezing out
compelling orchestral sequences. So far, Anthropocene journeys through human a sponge. Their ninth album
so effortlessly Nightwish. history beginning with the Hurrian relentlessly switches up
The second disc, All The Works Of Nature Hymn To Nikkal, an ancient Syrian prayer the pace and tone. Defender
Which Adorn The World, is a philharmonic considered the oldest known piece of slams with not one, but two
feat everybody knew Nightwish were music, before closing on the beautifully brutal breakdowns and,
capable of producing. It was simply arranged Ad Astra. while the band hit the lugs
a matter of time until they unleashed Captivating from the onset, Human. like a tsunami with a huge
their boundless talents on record. :II: Nature. is a triumph for Nightwish melodic guitar lead and
Masterfully embodying elemental and a treasure for fans who have AFTERBIRTH chorus on Bones, they find
concepts such as the sprawling Moors and lamented their absence from touring Four Dimensional Flesh themselves enveloped by
the angelic Aurorae, this instrumental over the last two years in preparation UNIQUE LEADER hypnotic, post-metal murk
second part lets the Finns loose into vast for this challenging effort. The Finnish Long Island slammers get bogged on Lighthouse moments
atmospheric worlds of their own design. icons have poured every second of the down in their brutality later. August Burns Red
The soothing notes of Vista, with its five-year wait since Endless Forms Most Despite death metal’s sound as impassioned and
swirling cellos and ethereal harps, could Beautiful into crafting a consuming, creative renaissance energised as ever.
well be the soundtrack to an idyll akin to turbulent and spectacular experience. in recent years, this QQQQQQQQQQ
Lord Of The Rings’ Rivendell. QQQQQQQQQQ sophomore offering from FOR FANS OF: Parkway
Lulling waves of violins crash around FOR FANS OF: Within Temptation, Afterbirth is a rigid and Drive, The Ghost Inside,
The Blue’s oceanic serenity, a relaxing Epica, Delain largely uninspiring affair. After The Burial
classical therapy bleeding into the ALI COOPER While there are flashes of DANNII LEIVERS
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