Maple Cross Next Chapter
Verikauha Records VKR17031 October 2003
By Russell Garwood
Maple Cross is a long running Finnish five-piece, who released numerous demos and a self-financed album between 1984 and 1994. Following a reformation with just one original member in 2001, and two demos, Next Chapter is the groups second full length, available through their own fledgling label. The music is aggressive yet accessible thrash, with rock influences and lots of melody, while death touches help keep it slightly less predictable.
Guitars consisting of tuneful riffs, frequent pinched harmonics, acoustics, and more sporadic crushing sections make for catchy songs. In the vocal department, a relatively high rasp is employed for the most part, which sometimes gives way to rough, very welcome, singing. This helps create the more memorable passages, and occasional keyboards, coupled with fun guitar solos, add further variation. The drums are fitting, showcasing some good fills and generally straight-forward, powerful beats, while the bass plays a similar driving role.
Next Chapter features three tracks from the last demo, and as such continues in a very similar vein. The production is excellent - well balanced for an accessible yet (relatively) unforgiving release, and perfect for the stripped-down music. Maple Cross are certainly breaking no boundaries, yet their compact, effective and energetic style has helped create a successful second album.
Verikauha Records VKR17031 October 2003
By Russell Garwood
Maple Cross is a long running Finnish five-piece, who released numerous demos and a self-financed album between 1984 and 1994. Following a reformation with just one original member in 2001, and two demos, Next Chapter is the groups second full length, available through their own fledgling label. The music is aggressive yet accessible thrash, with rock influences and lots of melody, while death touches help keep it slightly less predictable.
Guitars consisting of tuneful riffs, frequent pinched harmonics, acoustics, and more sporadic crushing sections make for catchy songs. In the vocal department, a relatively high rasp is employed for the most part, which sometimes gives way to rough, very welcome, singing. This helps create the more memorable passages, and occasional keyboards, coupled with fun guitar solos, add further variation. The drums are fitting, showcasing some good fills and generally straight-forward, powerful beats, while the bass plays a similar driving role.
Next Chapter features three tracks from the last demo, and as such continues in a very similar vein. The production is excellent - well balanced for an accessible yet (relatively) unforgiving release, and perfect for the stripped-down music. Maple Cross are certainly breaking no boundaries, yet their compact, effective and energetic style has helped create a successful second album.
