Cage
Hell Destroyer
DA
Apocalypse, and how
Upholding the grand traditions of 80s metal, San Diegos Cage just keep getting better. Upon initial inspection, the artwork and general sentiments of Hell Destroyers opener and title track echo Priests Painkiller, with its theme of mankind overcoming evil and finding redemption, but Cage go one further, expanding the idea into a full-blown concept album. Unlike most concept albums in the metal idiom, however, Hell Destroyer remains song-focused and avoids wandering down overlong narrative cul-de-sacs that sap momentum and power.
So whats it all about? Well, try just about everything. From Biblical times to the fulfilment of apocalyptic prophecies via the rise of the antichrist and the much-vaunted and nefarious New World Order, Hell Destroyer is a smörgåsbord of bad shit going down.
Musically, Cage are pretty much incapable of putting a foot wrong. Their galloping chug recalls Iced Earth, there are riffs galore that Primal Fear would die for and rarely does a band achieve such an improbable synthesis of complete, balls-out overload and tasteful restraint. Granted, theres not much restraint, but the band walks the line between full-on and over the top with consummate ease. Although the Priest comparisons remain inevitable, Sean Pecks scarily shrill vocals are harsher than Halfords and itd be hard to imagine Tipton and Downing pulling off some of these solos. Brimming with confidence, commitment and raw talent, Hell Destroyer will be a damn tough act to follow. Damien
* © 2007 Decibel Magazine
Hell Destroyer
DA
Apocalypse, and how
Upholding the grand traditions of 80s metal, San Diegos Cage just keep getting better. Upon initial inspection, the artwork and general sentiments of Hell Destroyers opener and title track echo Priests Painkiller, with its theme of mankind overcoming evil and finding redemption, but Cage go one further, expanding the idea into a full-blown concept album. Unlike most concept albums in the metal idiom, however, Hell Destroyer remains song-focused and avoids wandering down overlong narrative cul-de-sacs that sap momentum and power.
So whats it all about? Well, try just about everything. From Biblical times to the fulfilment of apocalyptic prophecies via the rise of the antichrist and the much-vaunted and nefarious New World Order, Hell Destroyer is a smörgåsbord of bad shit going down.
Musically, Cage are pretty much incapable of putting a foot wrong. Their galloping chug recalls Iced Earth, there are riffs galore that Primal Fear would die for and rarely does a band achieve such an improbable synthesis of complete, balls-out overload and tasteful restraint. Granted, theres not much restraint, but the band walks the line between full-on and over the top with consummate ease. Although the Priest comparisons remain inevitable, Sean Pecks scarily shrill vocals are harsher than Halfords and itd be hard to imagine Tipton and Downing pulling off some of these solos. Brimming with confidence, commitment and raw talent, Hell Destroyer will be a damn tough act to follow. Damien
* © 2007 Decibel Magazine
