All out war has been a staple in my listening collection for
years. This is a band, that in the
beginning set out to create a sound inspired by bands such as Kreator,
Destruction, and Sodom. The combination
of these influences culminated in a lot of people comparing the band to Slayer,
something Mike Score (vocalist) has been quoted as not really understanding. This is a band that has implemented not just
old school thrash techniques into their songs, but they have enough brutal,
breakdown oriented riffs and arrangements and chunky guitar tone to appeal to
the common Hatebreed fan. Listening to "Into the Killing Fields" reaffirms
that they are probably the only band left on Victory bringing it with %100
pure, and legitimate aggression.
Being a huge fan of hardcore, metal, and everything in
between released in New York in the early to mid 90's, this CD was like
stepping foot in a time machine. There
is so much of their old sound that has been preserved, while still making way
for some new tricks.
The first, and
probably most noteworthy edition is drummer Lou Medina formerly of the New York
Hardcore band Breakdown (classic band started in the mid 80's before the term "breakdown"
was so frowned upon in musical culture). His hardcore background really shines
on what I believe to be this newest and best All out War release since their
1998 offering "For those who were crucified". His drumming is much less straight forward
and not nearly as thrash oriented. Although there are thrash and metal elements
to his style, the passion of his performance is more rooted in stripping the
part down, concentrating on the groove and not cheating the listener on subtle
accents. It's not just about blistering
speed on this release, it's about the full composure of the song.
All out war has been known to follow a very audibly
addictive thrash metal formula infused with a topical think tank of corruption
in politics and religion (listen to Assassins in the house of God for examples
of that formula in its finest hour); being that bassist Erik Carillo, original
guitarrist Jim Bremer, and Brad Mader (introduced to the band back in 2002 when
"Condemned to Suffer" was released) are all playing on this album, it
would make sense that we would hear that formula come back. However, songs like
"Mercy Killer", "Fear those who claim divinity", and the
title track have some timings and riffs that definitely separate themselves
from the old style.
Mercy Killer, by far, is my favorite track on the album, due
to how stripped down yet precise the riffs are, and how rooted in circle pit,
punk beats the song is. The head nodding
crunch riffs and groove is never-ending on this track, and by the end of it you
feel like you walked through a sledgehammer rainstorm only to fall off a cliff.
The outro to Apathetic Genocide is one of the catchier hooks I've ever heard
come out of their song writing. The
heavy thrash leanings on the track "Fear those who claim divinity"
combined with overly simplistic crunch riffing and seething lyrics are quite
simply put perfect". Beware of the
title track off of this record. It should be on the "don't listen to in
your car" list; the death metal inspired strumming towards the end
combined with heavy face stomping breakdown riffs and unrelenting "thrash
at the speed of light" angle is unsafe for you and the rest of the world to
experience at speeds over 45mph.
On the production value front, this is hands down the best recording they have put out. I have friends who are much more rooted in super technical thrash, metal, and grind core that seem to enjoy this album from a production standpoint, (maybe not so much from a songwriting angle). The guitar tones are just thick as could be, with the bass line heavily prevalent and hardly undermixed. The snap and pop of the drum track can't be contested. A lot of bands that blend the punk rock and hardcore element into thrash and lose points on the production value; but this is not the case on this record.
On the production value front, this is hands down the best recording they have put out. I have friends who are much more rooted in super technical thrash, metal, and grind core that seem to enjoy this album from a production standpoint, (maybe not so much from a songwriting angle). The guitar tones are just thick as could be, with the bass line heavily prevalent and hardly undermixed. The snap and pop of the drum track can't be contested. A lot of bands that blend the punk rock and hardcore element into thrash and lose points on the production value; but this is not the case on this record.
The only real complaint that I have hardly registers as a
complaint. Technically speaking, there
are only 8 new songs on this record, since the song "Still Crucified"
originally recorded on "Condemned to Suffer" has been revamped for
this record. It hardly counts as a complaint, because simply put the production
is better and the drums are way more over the top. Stylistically, this song stands out from the
rest since it has such a galloping thrash effect in the rhythm section. But, it
serves as a pretty impressive closing track, regardless. Most bands struggle to ever be good enough to
have their own patented sound, let alone reinvent it. All out war has managed to re-establish
itself as one of the heaviest hitters in metal today.
Written by Dennis Scelza
Written by Dennis Scelza
