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So what would thrash sound like with death and black metal
vocals, you ask? OK, so I’m sure many bands probably
come to mind, but the latest is the “true metal”
band Skeletonwitch, whose sophomore album Breathing the
Fire is what I’d call blackened thrash metal.
They’ve got the look to match the metal that flows
in their veins—grizzled, bushy Viking-bearded, long-haired,
tattoo-sleeved throwbacks to yesteryear. The Ohio band became
an important player in the “New Wave of American Heavy
Metal” and subsequent thrash metal revival with their
2007 debut Beyond the Permafrost, an album I likened
in my review
to the second tier of classic thrash bands Exodus, Testament
and Overkill, among others. Now they’re back with a
heavier, more formidable, black metal influenced effort.
If there were ever any problems with classic thrash metal
bands, or even newer ones of today, it usually starts and
ends in the vocal department. Many thrash bands have come
along with a killer sound accompanied by even more killer
riffs and lightning speed only to be diffused by a lousy vocalist.
It basically takes all the “heavy” out and all
you’re left with is “metal.” The Witch is
here to fix this problem that’s plagued so many—not
only to fix it but grab it by the throat until it releases
blood-curdling screams and belting growls. This gives the
band big balls behind its thrashy sound and its style reeks
of violent death.
Breathing the Fire sounds more like Amon Amarth
than it does Exodus, an epic, melodic offering that brings
the brutality when properly summoned. The faster thrash songs
sound more like Arch Enemy than ‘80s thrash. The opener,
“Submit to the Suffering,” starts us off in death
metal fashion and pummels us in its fast two and a half minutes.
It’s the standout of the album, for sure. “Stand
Fight and Die” features growls and vocals like the aforementioned
Amon Amarth and the melodic guitar parts either send the listener
on a journey to an epic battle or a haunted graveyard—I
can’t decide. Then there’s the ripping “The
Despoiler of Human Life,” on which the closing lyrics
of “I am the despoiler of human life/Die, die, die,
my blade deep in your chest” leave little chance for
a radio single. “Crushed by Dust” and “Blinding
Black Rage” are more in line with the album opener,
fast thrashers done up Skeletonwitch-style. Riffs and guitar
prowess breathe even more life into Breathing the Fire.
Around the two-minute mark of “Repulsive Salvation,”
the band hits upon a drum break followed by an old-school
thrash riff that’ll have anyone within a 100-foot radius
banging their heads. It would spread like a zombie-infected
takeover. All of these songs have an equal mix of death, black
and even Viking metal vocal parts.
Not much to complain about here. Breathing the Fire
is an improvement of their debut and should further solidify
Skeletonwitch as an important player, be it thrash, death
or black metal. The only major issue is the staying power
and replay-factor of these songs.
®2010 Live-Metal.net
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