By: Anders

Posted: Dec 13, 2005

I was one of the apparently few that didn't fall head on tail when listening to Grimfist's first album "Ghouls Of Grandeur", the album was praised a lot and have according to Candlelight Records done pretty well and continues to sell. Groovy death/thrash was delivered on the first album, the first couple of tracks were good and energetic, though then it went downhill, due to it all sounding too much alike and repetitive.

This time around the base is not as heavy as on the first album, the base is still in death/thrash, though overall the sound is much more groovy and modern sounding. The grooves reminds me a lot of Pantera at times, just take a listen to the vocals, which once in a while gets a lot of Phil Anselmo over it, I do not know if it is the intention, if so it has worked, if not, I don't know what to say, though check out the tracks 'Separation Of My Soul' and 'Breed Apart', there are quite some evidence in those 2 tracks. The album is a powerhouse of riffing, there are many good captivating riffs on the album, though the way they are used and the pretty monotone drumming, and the compositions, which quickly grow into sounding alike, ruin the impression of the album, and make it rather boring to listen to in the length.

The production of the album is kinda stale as well, not really pushing the music forward, it is dark and complex, like putting a lid on the energy. The drum sound isn't the best either, it sounds like it's processed into sounding like a drum-machine, and the repetitive beats and machine like beats doesn't make that better. The guitar sound is for the most okay, even though some of riffs sound muddy, though that's more likely caused by the guitar tones and effects.

This is by far the album I expected it to be, groovy and hard hitting at first, though it quickly turns rather boring and uninteresting, especially when one considers how much great metal there are being released right now. And how this album has become nominated to a an Alarm Award for the best metal album from Norway this year, is beyond my comprehension, when thinking of how many killer albums that have been released by bands from up there during the year. The album also seems to lack momentum, though that might be a side effect from the ripping-prevention Candlelight has put on the album, which fades out the music very slowly once in a while.

Rating: 4/10

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