Evanesce - Secure the Shadows
No Face Records - 2007
By Adam McAuley
A crunchy melodic-death metal platter is what Evansce offer and it seems to follow the pattern of some slightly older bands in the genre like At the Gates and Eucharist rather than the more streamlined approach the genre seems to have evolved into in recent times. Likewise, the music present on this disc is somewhat primitive with relatively sub-standard production values to go along with it. It manages to excite and crush on quite a few levels of excellence however.
Lacking most of the level of elegance of more modern death metal, but still managing to contain the trait to some extent, the album comes across more punishing in nature, but this is a welcome change. It maintains an extremely brisk vibe throughout at keeps up that relatively pure feeling that gave some of the early melodic-death metal recordings their distinctiveness. The approach is sort of bare, but definately suits the band well. Just enough of a groove is always added to maximize the enjoyability of the band as well as a number of incredibly catchy hooks. However, the lack of originality here could also be seen as one of the album's biggest flaws. One would wish for a few more changes of direction as the majority of the work is very uniform. Instrumentally, Evanesce aren't particularly noteworthy, but not bad by any means and their vocalist tends to be more annoying than absorbing throughout.
These minor flaws prevent the album from being quite as impeccable as it perhaps could be, however this is nontheless a rather enjoyable work overall. It sort of rekindles the spirit of the purity of early melodic-death metal and early death metal in general rather well, which is one trait that can be nothing but highly appreciated.
Official No Face Records Website
No Face Records - 2007
By Adam McAuley
A crunchy melodic-death metal platter is what Evansce offer and it seems to follow the pattern of some slightly older bands in the genre like At the Gates and Eucharist rather than the more streamlined approach the genre seems to have evolved into in recent times. Likewise, the music present on this disc is somewhat primitive with relatively sub-standard production values to go along with it. It manages to excite and crush on quite a few levels of excellence however.
Lacking most of the level of elegance of more modern death metal, but still managing to contain the trait to some extent, the album comes across more punishing in nature, but this is a welcome change. It maintains an extremely brisk vibe throughout at keeps up that relatively pure feeling that gave some of the early melodic-death metal recordings their distinctiveness. The approach is sort of bare, but definately suits the band well. Just enough of a groove is always added to maximize the enjoyability of the band as well as a number of incredibly catchy hooks. However, the lack of originality here could also be seen as one of the album's biggest flaws. One would wish for a few more changes of direction as the majority of the work is very uniform. Instrumentally, Evanesce aren't particularly noteworthy, but not bad by any means and their vocalist tends to be more annoying than absorbing throughout.
These minor flaws prevent the album from being quite as impeccable as it perhaps could be, however this is nontheless a rather enjoyable work overall. It sort of rekindles the spirit of the purity of early melodic-death metal and early death metal in general rather well, which is one trait that can be nothing but highly appreciated.
Official No Face Records Website
