The Haunted rEVOLVEr
Century Media Records October 19th, 2004
By Jason Jordan
Everywhere you turn, The Haunted are being heralded for 2004s rEVOLVEr. Magazines, webzines, and other miscellaneous metal outlets are rapidly naming the group in their annual Top 17.3 Bands That Will Rule Rhode Island in 2017 feature; or something as inane as that. Frankly, though, I dont see why all this praise is necessary, because the aforementioned album is pretty average.
No Compromise starts off rEVOLVEr with an injection of Swedish melo-death, as you know. There are some catchy hooks scattered amongst the songs structure, and instrumentation is adequate. The production is slightly edgier than I was expecting, but its of no consequence. I actually like the beginning to 99. The verses are energetic, but soon enough the bland choruses intrude and dull the opus. Abysmal is mellow, and horrible clean vocalizations accompany. All Against All is a relatively safe investment due to its inviting riffage, punctuating drumbeats, and anger-infused vokills. Sweet Relief is all right. Burnt to a Shell sees the band return to the Abysmal formula, which is utterly atrocious. The Haunted cant pull off the Pantera-esque ballads; those aforesaid compositions fall flat on their faces. Who Will Decide is fueled by pure aggression, whereas Nothing Right is more organized and, ultimately, more rewarding. Liquid Burns is skippable. Fire Alive and Smut King however are absolutely great, because they both utilize such powerful riffing. Hints of Nightrage show up now and again. My Shadow isnt worth a look, though.
Thus, we come to the end of rEVOLVEr. I know I may be in the journalistic minority on this one, but I didnt find enough redeeming qualities within The Haunteds latest to deem it anything above capable. In other words, this rEVOLVEr mostly shot blanks.
7/10
Official The Haunted website
Official Century Media Records website
Century Media Records October 19th, 2004
By Jason Jordan
Everywhere you turn, The Haunted are being heralded for 2004s rEVOLVEr. Magazines, webzines, and other miscellaneous metal outlets are rapidly naming the group in their annual Top 17.3 Bands That Will Rule Rhode Island in 2017 feature; or something as inane as that. Frankly, though, I dont see why all this praise is necessary, because the aforementioned album is pretty average.
No Compromise starts off rEVOLVEr with an injection of Swedish melo-death, as you know. There are some catchy hooks scattered amongst the songs structure, and instrumentation is adequate. The production is slightly edgier than I was expecting, but its of no consequence. I actually like the beginning to 99. The verses are energetic, but soon enough the bland choruses intrude and dull the opus. Abysmal is mellow, and horrible clean vocalizations accompany. All Against All is a relatively safe investment due to its inviting riffage, punctuating drumbeats, and anger-infused vokills. Sweet Relief is all right. Burnt to a Shell sees the band return to the Abysmal formula, which is utterly atrocious. The Haunted cant pull off the Pantera-esque ballads; those aforesaid compositions fall flat on their faces. Who Will Decide is fueled by pure aggression, whereas Nothing Right is more organized and, ultimately, more rewarding. Liquid Burns is skippable. Fire Alive and Smut King however are absolutely great, because they both utilize such powerful riffing. Hints of Nightrage show up now and again. My Shadow isnt worth a look, though.
Thus, we come to the end of rEVOLVEr. I know I may be in the journalistic minority on this one, but I didnt find enough redeeming qualities within The Haunteds latest to deem it anything above capable. In other words, this rEVOLVEr mostly shot blanks.
7/10
Official The Haunted website
Official Century Media Records website
Come on! I think they write very average songs and I can think of about 20 bands off the top of my head that are faster and heavier.
