|
By JEFF MAKI
Imagine Dr. Frankenstein is about to tackle his next diabolic creation, except this time, he has been hired to create the world's most ferocious metal band. In the tower laboratory of his castle, during a violent thunderstorm, with lightning crashing all around, the mad doctor goes to work. Taking common DNA from the American metal band Trivium, and extremely rare DNA from thrash metal legends Testament, everything is going according to plan. His human creations show glimpses of life, twitching their fingers as thunder shakes the grounds. Colored liquids shoot back and forth inside the many tubes and hoses twisting and turning around the lab. Everything is in motion. Being the astute scientist he is, he already has gathered the best in heavy metal equipment from top manufacturers, and guitars line the back wall. Nothing could possibly go wrong now.
Just as he reaches for the last ingredient, lightning strikes the tower, sending broken flasks and glass everywhere. Amidst the ensuing chaos, a lone vial of DNA rattles off a shelf, finding its way into the experiment. Not realizing what has happened, the creations rise to their feet, ripping the tubes and bandages from their newly formed bodies and begin playing crushing heavy metal. “I've done it! I've done it! They're alive! They're alive!" the doctor exults. "Ah, yes! The thrashing riffs of Testament! The musical craftsmanship of Trivium! The brutality of Morbid Angel! I've done it!” Dr. Frankenstein glances at the shelf just as the new vocalist prepares to belt out his first devastating growl. The vial of Morbid Angel DNA rests there untouched. Instead, the flask of Mudvayne DNA has tipped over and has emptied into his concoction. “No! No! No! What have I done?!”
If anyone needs clarification, Massachusetts' Hell Within is a combination of the craftsmanship of Trivium and thrash metal of Testament, fronted by a vocalist that more often than not sounds like Chad Gray of Mudvayne. It's usually hit or miss when bands combine so many different elements. While Shadows of Vanity is not a terrible album, the combo is a miss with me. With the music being so fast and riff-heavy, more of a Morbid Angel style death metal vocal (which they use sparingly) would be a much better fit.
|
