You wouldn’t know that this was the same band that released Ascendancy. The whole feel of the album is different, capped off of course by the vocals, which are now more clear than anything else. Looking for a different market? Or just attending the James Hetfield School Of Vocals? There is a definite Hetfield feel about some of the vocals, especially the first half of “Detonation”. Whether this was deliberate, or is just a part of the general morphing of the band as a whole I don’t know.
That’s not to say that some of the songs don’t still rock. “Entrance of the Conflagration” is easily the best song on the album, fueled by great drums and guitars. Funnily enough, if all the songs here were in the same vein, I think The Crusade would be being praised by a lot more people. As it stands, there are just too many songs that aren’t strong enough, and where the vocals especially are too weak to hold your attention through too many listens.
While it may not be their strongest effort, there is still a lot to like. I think there is still a lot for this band to achieve. In more ways than one, their next album may be the most telling release of all.
Faves for me include “Entrance of the Conflagration”, “Anthem (We Are The Fire)” and “The Crusade”
Rating: Not what I expected, but still listenable enough. 3/5.
No comments:
Post a Comment