Loudblast - Planet Pandemonium
Slalom Records - SLM 200222 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
Considering the rise in quality metal bands hailing from France in recent years, it's perhaps no surprise that after six years of absence, old-school death metal faves Loudblast have reformed and delivered a new record. Presumably, what with bands like Scarve and Anorexia Nervosa releasing records that make people take notice of the country again, Loudblast thought 'I want a piece of that!'. Which would be fine, except that without a decent new album, it wouldn't really get them very far. It's fortunate, then, that Planet Pandemonium takes the band's Morbid Angel-esque, pummellingly old school death metal and presents it with a loud, punchy production.
From the Sabbath-goes-doom cavernous trawl of 'Last Sabbath' to the Azagthoth-summoning rapid-fire attack of 'Mindless Mankind', Loudblast quickly remind everyone just why they were such a well-known name in the French death metal underground. The production accentuates the thick, bludgeoning bottom-heavy guitars, and the punchy drums add another weapon to the already considerable arsenal the band packs. At times, the song structures become vaguely hypnotic, with drum patterns changing behind riffs in a way that evokes thoughts of Meshuggah covering Gorefest.
However, for all the novelty of hearing such a resolutely old-school band playing with a modern punchiness and with a revitalised energy, there is sadly no escaping the fact that Planet Pandemonium starts to drag somewhat towards the end of it's running time. An abundance of dissonant bends and mid-to-down-tempo passage starts to suck away at the momentum of the album, making the track skip button an ever more appealing prospect. However, old fans of the band will not be disappointed whatsoever at the material within.
7/10
Loudblast's Official Website
Slalom Music's Official Website
Slalom Records - SLM 200222 - 2005
By Philip Whitehouse
Considering the rise in quality metal bands hailing from France in recent years, it's perhaps no surprise that after six years of absence, old-school death metal faves Loudblast have reformed and delivered a new record. Presumably, what with bands like Scarve and Anorexia Nervosa releasing records that make people take notice of the country again, Loudblast thought 'I want a piece of that!'. Which would be fine, except that without a decent new album, it wouldn't really get them very far. It's fortunate, then, that Planet Pandemonium takes the band's Morbid Angel-esque, pummellingly old school death metal and presents it with a loud, punchy production.
From the Sabbath-goes-doom cavernous trawl of 'Last Sabbath' to the Azagthoth-summoning rapid-fire attack of 'Mindless Mankind', Loudblast quickly remind everyone just why they were such a well-known name in the French death metal underground. The production accentuates the thick, bludgeoning bottom-heavy guitars, and the punchy drums add another weapon to the already considerable arsenal the band packs. At times, the song structures become vaguely hypnotic, with drum patterns changing behind riffs in a way that evokes thoughts of Meshuggah covering Gorefest.
However, for all the novelty of hearing such a resolutely old-school band playing with a modern punchiness and with a revitalised energy, there is sadly no escaping the fact that Planet Pandemonium starts to drag somewhat towards the end of it's running time. An abundance of dissonant bends and mid-to-down-tempo passage starts to suck away at the momentum of the album, making the track skip button an ever more appealing prospect. However, old fans of the band will not be disappointed whatsoever at the material within.
7/10
Loudblast's Official Website
Slalom Music's Official Website
