- Apr 5, 2003
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Shadows Land - Terminus Ante Quem
Osmose Productions - OPCD 181 - April 28th, 2006
By Brandon Strader
Mindblowing? Eh. Innovative? Sure. Shadows Land sets a good impression with their choice of artwork. It's got a smooth look, almost like a modern anime cartoon. The polish cover is a bit sexier, however, featuring breasts - though they are on a disfigured human corpse with a monsterous head. Sexy indeed. Non-polish version has better artwork, so pick it up instead.
The opening of Terminus Ante Quem sounds similar to a soundcheck. Some snare, some guitar riffing, some quick tom fills all amongst electronic editting. A little taste of what is to come. The percussion sounds very fake. If it's not programmed, then it is probably severely triggered and it is extremely precise with outbursts of quick double bass that would take a ton of concious effort if actually played. The music is heavy and fast, featuring a bunch of cool electronic sounds and editting. There is a good variation between track lengths, as each track is very diverse, though some of the transitions between songs are very smooth and you wouldn't know you were in another song if you didn't look. In other words, Terminus Ante Quem has a great flow.
Each track is fantastic, though not very memorable after listening to the album. There are no very outstanding hooks or catchy sections, and thus the album can retain it's freshness pretty effortlessly for a bunch more listens. The use of electronic sounds in some of the passages is really stunning, and creates a unique sound. The vocals are also noteworthy, consisting mainly of growls neither too low or too high, but with a forcefully gutteral sound. Terminus Ante Quem is worth the time, though it is not too long clocking in at a mere half-hour. It's not exactly mindblowing, but it's innovative enough.
7/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Shadows Land Website
Official Osmose Productions Website
Osmose Productions - OPCD 181 - April 28th, 2006
By Brandon Strader
Mindblowing? Eh. Innovative? Sure. Shadows Land sets a good impression with their choice of artwork. It's got a smooth look, almost like a modern anime cartoon. The polish cover is a bit sexier, however, featuring breasts - though they are on a disfigured human corpse with a monsterous head. Sexy indeed. Non-polish version has better artwork, so pick it up instead.
The opening of Terminus Ante Quem sounds similar to a soundcheck. Some snare, some guitar riffing, some quick tom fills all amongst electronic editting. A little taste of what is to come. The percussion sounds very fake. If it's not programmed, then it is probably severely triggered and it is extremely precise with outbursts of quick double bass that would take a ton of concious effort if actually played. The music is heavy and fast, featuring a bunch of cool electronic sounds and editting. There is a good variation between track lengths, as each track is very diverse, though some of the transitions between songs are very smooth and you wouldn't know you were in another song if you didn't look. In other words, Terminus Ante Quem has a great flow.
Each track is fantastic, though not very memorable after listening to the album. There are no very outstanding hooks or catchy sections, and thus the album can retain it's freshness pretty effortlessly for a bunch more listens. The use of electronic sounds in some of the passages is really stunning, and creates a unique sound. The vocals are also noteworthy, consisting mainly of growls neither too low or too high, but with a forcefully gutteral sound. Terminus Ante Quem is worth the time, though it is not too long clocking in at a mere half-hour. It's not exactly mindblowing, but it's innovative enough.
7/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Shadows Land Website
Official Osmose Productions Website
