WITHERED EARTH OF WHICH THEY BLEED
Olympic Recordings/Century Media - 2003
By Rodrigo Escandon
Withered Earth have come out with their third release Of Which They Bleed and while during the first few listens it was an exciting album it quickly began to get very boring and monotonous to listen. Withered Earth play death metal but it definitely has a few surprises in store to keep interesting. The additions of tempo and riff changes and breakdowns (like grind/hardcore) definitely do the job of keeping the monotony at bay but only for so long.
The main problem with this release is how the album maintains the same pace throughout all twelve songs. There is not one moment where you do not hear razor-sharp guitars that being to sound to overwhelming and annoying as the album continues. They are just too loud on the mix and maybe that was the intention of the band to pummel you with the guitars but upon repeated listens this becomes a major drag while listening to it.
The drumming is really great and varied as is the bass but with the guitars being so loud these two instruments sound very weak. It is only in certain parts of the album where there are no guitars present that one can enjoy these other instruments. Vocally, it is what you would expect of death metal: low, guttural growls but nothing that does not sound distinct or varied from countless other singers.
Yes, Of Which They Bleed is loud, aggressive and occasionally keeps you guessing with the different influences being implemented. However all that is not enough to solve the problem of too many songs and not enough variety to warrant my attention.
Olympic Recordings Website
Century Media Website
Withered Earth Official Website
Olympic Recordings/Century Media - 2003
By Rodrigo Escandon
Withered Earth have come out with their third release Of Which They Bleed and while during the first few listens it was an exciting album it quickly began to get very boring and monotonous to listen. Withered Earth play death metal but it definitely has a few surprises in store to keep interesting. The additions of tempo and riff changes and breakdowns (like grind/hardcore) definitely do the job of keeping the monotony at bay but only for so long.
The main problem with this release is how the album maintains the same pace throughout all twelve songs. There is not one moment where you do not hear razor-sharp guitars that being to sound to overwhelming and annoying as the album continues. They are just too loud on the mix and maybe that was the intention of the band to pummel you with the guitars but upon repeated listens this becomes a major drag while listening to it.
The drumming is really great and varied as is the bass but with the guitars being so loud these two instruments sound very weak. It is only in certain parts of the album where there are no guitars present that one can enjoy these other instruments. Vocally, it is what you would expect of death metal: low, guttural growls but nothing that does not sound distinct or varied from countless other singers.
Yes, Of Which They Bleed is loud, aggressive and occasionally keeps you guessing with the different influences being implemented. However all that is not enough to solve the problem of too many songs and not enough variety to warrant my attention.
Olympic Recordings Website
Century Media Website
Withered Earth Official Website
