Anima Nera - Anima Nera
2003 - Stereo Recording Company
By Philip Whitehouse
Go to the Stereo Recording Company website.
An interesting and impressive release, this self-titled album combines elements of metalcore, thrash, black and death metal into a heady stew of intricate riffage, dual guitar harmonies, hyper-speed batteries and general aggressive poundings, rather reminiscent of Shadows Fall and Heaven Shall Burn. The vocalist fares rather better with death metal-esque guttural roars than with more black metal styled screeches, but that doesn't let down the overall impact of the album.
The production is slightly on the 'change from a fiver' side, but this too fails to detract too severely from the musicianship on display - on tracks like 'Somber Eyes', the group's songwriting skills are displayed when the furious riffage gives way to a gentle, acoustic-led passage which recalls the NWOBHM, before giving way to a faster, melodic section. Throughout the songs, vaguely atonal pinch-harmonics and dissonant chordage are used to good effect.
Slight niggles do exist however - the lead guitarist's instrument occasionally sounds out of tune, and the black metal vocals and production have already been mentioned. Also, there's nothing really that makes the band stand out head and shoulders above the likes of Shadows Fall, and there are certain unsigned bands such as Dead Elizabeth who are doing this style of music with more individuality and skill. Still, this is an impressive display from the group, and with better production and more work next time round, we could have a serious contender.
7.5/10
2003 - Stereo Recording Company
By Philip Whitehouse
Go to the Stereo Recording Company website.
An interesting and impressive release, this self-titled album combines elements of metalcore, thrash, black and death metal into a heady stew of intricate riffage, dual guitar harmonies, hyper-speed batteries and general aggressive poundings, rather reminiscent of Shadows Fall and Heaven Shall Burn. The vocalist fares rather better with death metal-esque guttural roars than with more black metal styled screeches, but that doesn't let down the overall impact of the album.
The production is slightly on the 'change from a fiver' side, but this too fails to detract too severely from the musicianship on display - on tracks like 'Somber Eyes', the group's songwriting skills are displayed when the furious riffage gives way to a gentle, acoustic-led passage which recalls the NWOBHM, before giving way to a faster, melodic section. Throughout the songs, vaguely atonal pinch-harmonics and dissonant chordage are used to good effect.
Slight niggles do exist however - the lead guitarist's instrument occasionally sounds out of tune, and the black metal vocals and production have already been mentioned. Also, there's nothing really that makes the band stand out head and shoulders above the likes of Shadows Fall, and there are certain unsigned bands such as Dead Elizabeth who are doing this style of music with more individuality and skill. Still, this is an impressive display from the group, and with better production and more work next time round, we could have a serious contender.
7.5/10
