The Showdown A Chorus of Obliteration
Mono Vs. Stereo Records MSD72958 November 16th, 2004
By Jason Jordan
When you mix Dimebag Darrell-esque leads/breakdowns, the sensibility of In Flames, a dual guitar attack, and a production helmed by Bruce Fitzhugh (ex-Living Sacrifice), you get the Christianity-toting metallers known as The Showdown. OMGWTF CRISTIANS CANT PALY METALL!!1!!111. Dont resort to that sort of response just yet, because: A Chorus of Obliteration does present borrowed yet magnificent ideas. In other words, this album isnt the most mind-numbing thing ever released, but it does climb high enough to garner a favorable review from yours truly.
Immediately noticeable is the solid, certifiable guitar sound. The production, courtesy of Fitzhugh, is great all around. However, at first listen, I wasnt too ecstatic about the everyman, clean vocalizations, and Im still not. The distorted vox arent too differential from other purveyors weve heard before, and tell me that the breakdown at the 3:30 minute mark of A Monument Encased in Ash isnt reminiscent of mid-era Pantera. In fact, the aforementioned couldve easily been lifted from Far Beyond Driven. Perusal through numbers like Hell Cant Stop Us Now and A Proclamation of Evils Fate, though, exposes the clean guitar sound perhaps too much. Nevertheless, the former does unleash myriad rhythms that are very enjoyable. The melodic Iscariot is good, but its during times like the beginning of Dolor Per Proelium (Your Name is Defeat) that the band is at their best due to the utter heaviness conveyed. The closer Laid to Rest is just a cliché until The Showdown increase the load by pouring distortion into the mix. And, the end-of-the-world motif has been explored before but A Chorus of Obliteration does it in such a way that its not grating in the least.
Whats most impressive about The Showdown is that this is their debut. I suspect the metal listener will witness a lot of quality material emanating from the aforesaid troupe in the future. A Chorus of Obliteration is definitely worth its weight in well, something.
8/10
Official The Showdown website
Official Mono Vs. Stereo Records website
Mono Vs. Stereo Records MSD72958 November 16th, 2004
By Jason Jordan
When you mix Dimebag Darrell-esque leads/breakdowns, the sensibility of In Flames, a dual guitar attack, and a production helmed by Bruce Fitzhugh (ex-Living Sacrifice), you get the Christianity-toting metallers known as The Showdown. OMGWTF CRISTIANS CANT PALY METALL!!1!!111. Dont resort to that sort of response just yet, because: A Chorus of Obliteration does present borrowed yet magnificent ideas. In other words, this album isnt the most mind-numbing thing ever released, but it does climb high enough to garner a favorable review from yours truly.
Immediately noticeable is the solid, certifiable guitar sound. The production, courtesy of Fitzhugh, is great all around. However, at first listen, I wasnt too ecstatic about the everyman, clean vocalizations, and Im still not. The distorted vox arent too differential from other purveyors weve heard before, and tell me that the breakdown at the 3:30 minute mark of A Monument Encased in Ash isnt reminiscent of mid-era Pantera. In fact, the aforementioned couldve easily been lifted from Far Beyond Driven. Perusal through numbers like Hell Cant Stop Us Now and A Proclamation of Evils Fate, though, exposes the clean guitar sound perhaps too much. Nevertheless, the former does unleash myriad rhythms that are very enjoyable. The melodic Iscariot is good, but its during times like the beginning of Dolor Per Proelium (Your Name is Defeat) that the band is at their best due to the utter heaviness conveyed. The closer Laid to Rest is just a cliché until The Showdown increase the load by pouring distortion into the mix. And, the end-of-the-world motif has been explored before but A Chorus of Obliteration does it in such a way that its not grating in the least.
Whats most impressive about The Showdown is that this is their debut. I suspect the metal listener will witness a lot of quality material emanating from the aforesaid troupe in the future. A Chorus of Obliteration is definitely worth its weight in well, something.
8/10
Official The Showdown website
Official Mono Vs. Stereo Records website
