Imperious - In Splendour
2003 - Retribute Records
By Philip Whitehouse
Go to the Imperious website.
On listening to this debut album by the irrepressible Retribute Records' latest signing, Swedish death metallers Imperious, it subsequently came as very little surprise to know that all three members of the band list Nile, Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal as their main influences on the rather sparsely-detailed member profiles section of their official website. That statement made, you probably already know what to expect from their first full-length release, In Splendour. Frantic, hyper-speed blastbeat-led drumming, head-spinningly technical riffage, growling bass and near sub-sonically growled vocals. So, all the regular ingredients for effectively brutal/technical death metal are in place... but is it actually any good?
I have to say, I've been struggling with this album, because at times, it's almost totally derivative of its influences. The detuned lightspeed riffage is very Morbid Angel, as is the lava-tastic solo that crops up at around the 1:40 mark of 'One With Nothingness'. However, persevere and look beyond the shadow of the band's influences and there is a fairly enjoyable death metal album lurking within. The quality of the musicianship is never less than breathtaking, as hyperkinetic drum fills trade fire with seemingly electrified fretboard gymnastics, and the songs are cunningly arranged so as not to become predictable.
The occasional screamed vocals doubling up with the growls are a nice touch too, and are perhaps something that should be incorporated more in the future. Special mention too must go to the stomping, brutal coda to 'Somber Rapture'. In general, though, this band lacks that special spark of innovativity and personality that makes bands like Nile, Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal as memorable and unique as they are now.
If you're looking for a solid, quality death metal release to pacify your urges for technical brutality, then you can't really go wrong with this release. If Imperious want to step above the rank of also-rans, however, they would do well to work on development of a style that is entirely their own, using there influences as a springboard rather than as the entire foundation for their own sound.
6.5/10
2003 - Retribute Records
By Philip Whitehouse
Go to the Imperious website.
On listening to this debut album by the irrepressible Retribute Records' latest signing, Swedish death metallers Imperious, it subsequently came as very little surprise to know that all three members of the band list Nile, Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal as their main influences on the rather sparsely-detailed member profiles section of their official website. That statement made, you probably already know what to expect from their first full-length release, In Splendour. Frantic, hyper-speed blastbeat-led drumming, head-spinningly technical riffage, growling bass and near sub-sonically growled vocals. So, all the regular ingredients for effectively brutal/technical death metal are in place... but is it actually any good?
I have to say, I've been struggling with this album, because at times, it's almost totally derivative of its influences. The detuned lightspeed riffage is very Morbid Angel, as is the lava-tastic solo that crops up at around the 1:40 mark of 'One With Nothingness'. However, persevere and look beyond the shadow of the band's influences and there is a fairly enjoyable death metal album lurking within. The quality of the musicianship is never less than breathtaking, as hyperkinetic drum fills trade fire with seemingly electrified fretboard gymnastics, and the songs are cunningly arranged so as not to become predictable.
The occasional screamed vocals doubling up with the growls are a nice touch too, and are perhaps something that should be incorporated more in the future. Special mention too must go to the stomping, brutal coda to 'Somber Rapture'. In general, though, this band lacks that special spark of innovativity and personality that makes bands like Nile, Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal as memorable and unique as they are now.
If you're looking for a solid, quality death metal release to pacify your urges for technical brutality, then you can't really go wrong with this release. If Imperious want to step above the rank of also-rans, however, they would do well to work on development of a style that is entirely their own, using there influences as a springboard rather than as the entire foundation for their own sound.
6.5/10
