- Apr 5, 2003
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Seventh Cross - Scorched By The Flames Of Vengeance
Candlelight Records - CDL226/1498A - 2006
By Brandon Strader
Seventh Cross sets ablaze a mighty fire with Scorched By The Flames of Vengeance, the debut full-length from these melo-death/black newbies based out of the UK. Quite literally, in fact, as the first track begins amongst the sound of fire and the playing of a piano. A violin eventually enters the song with it's own harmony. A great little introduction which lends it's parts to the first song, "Demon's March."
What we are now exposed to are some great guitar tremolos and raw black metal vocals. The sound of Seventh Cross is mostly melo-death with the blackened portion basically being the vocals. The production is great, though the vocals are a bit too loud, and though some parts of the songwriting are pretty cliche, the rest of it is astounding. Sure, too much metalcore influence too. When "Demon's March" turns into a metalcore breakdown for the largest half of the song, it loses it's appeal.
Unfortunately, the next song, "Day The War Began" also starts out with a metalcore breakdown for a while, but eventually turns back into more melodeath... and even some more metalcore... Apart from the breakdowns, the songwriting is pretty great. To be completely honest, it was just a bit dissapointing after hearing that great introduction to see the music evolve in this way. There are a lot of "moshing" riffs thrown in for some good headbanging, and even some blastbeats for a few brief moments.
A lot of the parts are highly hit or miss with there being about as much hit as there is miss. It's a fairly balanced mixture that makes a pretty enjoyable sound, if you can tolerate a dash of metalcore with your blackened melodeath. One thing is certain, this is a spectacular debut full-length from Seventh Cross that is worth checking out.
6.5/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Seventh Cross Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
Candlelight Records - CDL226/1498A - 2006
By Brandon Strader
Seventh Cross sets ablaze a mighty fire with Scorched By The Flames of Vengeance, the debut full-length from these melo-death/black newbies based out of the UK. Quite literally, in fact, as the first track begins amongst the sound of fire and the playing of a piano. A violin eventually enters the song with it's own harmony. A great little introduction which lends it's parts to the first song, "Demon's March."
What we are now exposed to are some great guitar tremolos and raw black metal vocals. The sound of Seventh Cross is mostly melo-death with the blackened portion basically being the vocals. The production is great, though the vocals are a bit too loud, and though some parts of the songwriting are pretty cliche, the rest of it is astounding. Sure, too much metalcore influence too. When "Demon's March" turns into a metalcore breakdown for the largest half of the song, it loses it's appeal.
Unfortunately, the next song, "Day The War Began" also starts out with a metalcore breakdown for a while, but eventually turns back into more melodeath... and even some more metalcore... Apart from the breakdowns, the songwriting is pretty great. To be completely honest, it was just a bit dissapointing after hearing that great introduction to see the music evolve in this way. There are a lot of "moshing" riffs thrown in for some good headbanging, and even some blastbeats for a few brief moments.
A lot of the parts are highly hit or miss with there being about as much hit as there is miss. It's a fairly balanced mixture that makes a pretty enjoyable sound, if you can tolerate a dash of metalcore with your blackened melodeath. One thing is certain, this is a spectacular debut full-length from Seventh Cross that is worth checking out.
6.5/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Seventh Cross Website
Official Candlelight Records Website
