Fleshkiller - Awaken

Published Monday 4th February 2019
Fleshkiller - Awaken
Fleshkiller - Awaken

STYLE: Hard Music
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 174083-27889
LABEL: Facedown
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Paul S Ganney

This album largely sounds pretty much like you'd expect a band called Fleshkiller to sound - it's metal with a large hatful of riffs (I especially liked ones in "True Image", "Window Of Time" and "Secret Chambers"), nothing slow, bludgeoning drums and bass, overlaid by a half-shouted, half-grunted lead vocal. And then it throws a curve into the mix: vocal harmony work which shows they're not music-by-numbers. Some of this reminded me of Yes (the start of "Evil Eclipse" and the second half of "Parallel Kingdom" are great examples), which was a big and pleasant surprise to find something so unexpected - it really makes you sit up and pay attention, wondering what else they have up their collective sleeves. The faith-based lyrics come through well and clear, a band not burying it in odd imagery or hiding behind the wall of noise. Once I'd made the Yes connection on the vocals I could hear some more in some of the rhythmic punches, high-speed runs and solos (such as the title track). I'd probably describe them as Yes meets My Chemical Romance meets Napalm Death. A curious and enjoyable meeting it is too.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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