OLD - Down With The Nails
Tyrant Syndicate - CDVILEF136P - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
German black/thrash metal act OLD are the latest band to get signed to Tyrant Syndicate, the Peaceville Records imprint overseen by Darkthrone. So, you've probably already got a fair idea what debut album Down With The Nails sounds like - raw, somewhat punky, simplistic black/thrash with catchy riffs and hoarse vocals. In fact, to be honest, that's pretty much my review right there. But I'm supposed to do no less than 200 words. Damn.
The thing is, I could probably have told you what this record sounds like before I put it on. It sounds exactly how you expect it to. The production is pretty raw (although still clear enough so you can hear all the instruments, thankfully), giving the guitars a scratchy, trebly tone and the typically hoarse vocals a suitably reverbed feel. The songs are simple, immediate, catchy and unwavering in their style - there are no acoustic interludes, death metal influences or whatever to be found from these guys - they go from punky breakdown speed to black metal blastbeat, and that's pretty much your lot.
In fact, tell you what - now you've read the last couple of paragraphs, try and imagine what it sounds like in your head. Take a minute or two to imagine what a track would sound like. Like what you hear? Yeah? Go ahead and buy it then. It's an uncomplicated, unpretentious, immediate and entertaining listen - utterly devoid of originality and individuality, but refreshingly unconcerned about that fact. It all blurs together a bit by track 5, but to be honest, you can probably imagine how tracks 6-9 sound as well.
6/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Tyrant Syndicate's Offiical Website
Tyrant Syndicate - CDVILEF136P - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
German black/thrash metal act OLD are the latest band to get signed to Tyrant Syndicate, the Peaceville Records imprint overseen by Darkthrone. So, you've probably already got a fair idea what debut album Down With The Nails sounds like - raw, somewhat punky, simplistic black/thrash with catchy riffs and hoarse vocals. In fact, to be honest, that's pretty much my review right there. But I'm supposed to do no less than 200 words. Damn.
The thing is, I could probably have told you what this record sounds like before I put it on. It sounds exactly how you expect it to. The production is pretty raw (although still clear enough so you can hear all the instruments, thankfully), giving the guitars a scratchy, trebly tone and the typically hoarse vocals a suitably reverbed feel. The songs are simple, immediate, catchy and unwavering in their style - there are no acoustic interludes, death metal influences or whatever to be found from these guys - they go from punky breakdown speed to black metal blastbeat, and that's pretty much your lot.
In fact, tell you what - now you've read the last couple of paragraphs, try and imagine what it sounds like in your head. Take a minute or two to imagine what a track would sound like. Like what you hear? Yeah? Go ahead and buy it then. It's an uncomplicated, unpretentious, immediate and entertaining listen - utterly devoid of originality and individuality, but refreshingly unconcerned about that fact. It all blurs together a bit by track 5, but to be honest, you can probably imagine how tracks 6-9 sound as well.
6/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Tyrant Syndicate's Offiical Website
