By: Anders

Posted: Nov 22, 2005

More metal to the European people due to the cooperation between the American label Willowtip Records and English Earache Records. Even though Neauraxis' third album "Truth Beyond…" already once has been released in Europe by Morbid Records back in 2002, when it initially was released upon the world. Though this re-release is quite a goodie, since it also contains the band's 2 first albums "Imagery" from 1999 and "Passage Into Forlorn" from 2001, both released by Neoblast Records. So now all the band's material is available again, so us hungry metal heads can get our thirst for metal satisfied.

It is very interesting to follow the Canadian band from its first release to its third, and hear how the band has developed throughout the years, without leaving the roots and path they started out with. They have the base in heavy, groovy thrashy death metal, which is spiced up with stellar technique. The musicians in the band really know how to use their instruments, they are killer musicians and they show it all the time. There are great riffs, amazing leads and breathtaking solos. The bass work is excellent to a bit anonymous at times. The drumming is straight ahead and brutal yet very technical. There are some killer and twisted breaks, wicked pace shifts and amazing details all the time, again and again. And seldom does the music loose its momentum, it keeps on steamrolling forward, like a runaway freight train. A guttural and grim growl, to a fiercer and ear piercing scream, a vocal presentation with a lot of emotion and passion.

The band has progressed steadily throughout the years, though the sound that became Neuraxis' trademark, they have kept intact from the first years, until now. The progression from the first album to the third is remarkable as well. From very brutal on the first album, to more technical and melodic on the second, to the third where it all are mixed into the superb wholeness which shows a mature band. And despite the line-up changes through the years, the goal and sound of the band has never been compromised.

This is a release death metal heads can't be without, whether it's the technical side, the brutal side or the metalcore part, Neuraxis delivers it all. And this package, where you get all 3 albums, 2 bonus tracks and a video pretty cheap, it would be stupid not to hit the music store. The band hasn't received its real breakthrough yet, though they are about ready with their new album "Trilateral Progression", which already has been released in North America, and I'm sure that's the album which will make the band well known all around.

Rating: 9/10

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