The disaffected and disenfranchised always seem drawn to the cacophonic sound of
Metallica and Megadeath. And if we're honest, either openly or secretly, we all have some kind of admiration for the attitude and aggression inherent in their brand of rock music.
Personally, I just couldn't get the lack of a decent melody. I can forgive a band grinding me into the ground with strident guitars and guttural vocals, but I can't forgive a lack of good tunes.
My thanks then to new Swedish band
Heed (which includes ex
Lost Horizon men Daniel Heiman and Fredrik Olsen) for taking that same heavy metal template and reshaping it in the image of melodic rock.
'The Call' is what happens when a perfectly palatable mix of traditional heavy metal and speed metal gets thrown in the blender with chunks of contemporary power metal and tuneful hard rock. Without losing any of its impact some of the rough edges get smoothed, light pierces the darkness and consequently a bunch of great songs get the chance to shine through.
It doesn't work with every track, but it does with the majority. Most notable among these is
'Tears Of Prodigy' and
'The Other Side'. Loud, abrasive guitars bite down hard, the rhythm section pounds on anything that moves and everything seems set up to launch a series of syncopated gothic grunts and groans. Far from it. Instead some great melodies and memorable hooks rise up through the smoke and the mirrors. If only the lyrics weren't so desperately and resolutely downbeat.
Running not far behind, Japanese bonus track
'The Flight', works up a symphonic metal atmosphere then cuts it to shreds with wiry, heavy metal guitar solos (courtesy of guest guitarist, Kee Marcello), and
'Moments' just glows white hot among bubbling bass lines and shuddering, power metal riffs.
Surprisingly good.
Written by
Brian Thursday, May 25, 2006
Show all reviews by BrianRatingsBrian: 7.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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