Chimaira - Crown Of Phantoms
If you like metal chances are you've heard of Chimaira. In their early stages, Chimaira were able to produce real chunky, refreshing metal anthems such as 'Pure Hatred', 'Nothing Remains', and 'Resurrection'. All of which are tracks from several different albums that have incorporated the band's initial sound and genre over the years that they were able to sustain heavily. 2013 has led us to the band's 7th studio album, 'Crown Of Phantoms'. Luckily enough the album title is as awesome as the songs it beholds.
Opener 'The Machine' hits hard with powerful riffs, proving the album's worth as a starting track when the song's chorus blares out, immediately becoming catchy and sing-along-to despite the fact it's still heavy as fuck. Chimaira have always had that style and effect with their releases, enabling them to be one of the more unique modern metal bands out there. I would seriously consider putting the band's sound and purpose inbetween other metal acts such as Lamb Of God, and Hatebreed - imagine something inbetween those and you'll get Chimaira's genre altogether. It's the strength within the thundering riffs that enable second track 'No Mercy' as a contender for one of the most evil sounding tracks released this year in metal. Fierce, brutal lyrics burst from Mark Hunter's throat - sounding more fiery with every release Chimaira are able to put out, proven within this song.
'All That's Left With Blood' doesn't let the album breathe just yet, pummelling the listener's ears with vicious attacks of early metalcore before it was even given that label. Rarely receiving a break, the chorus for this track is destined for a live crowd which will surely develop the most gnarly of mosh pits. Having said that, 'I Despise' is also born solely for playing live, starting with some of the most intelligent, chaotic riffs battling forward before breaching Mark's obscene lyrical content which fails to disappoint. Anger is purified within the song throughout - definitely enabling 'I Despise' as a stand-out on the entire album.
A brief interlude known as 'The Transmigration' is exactly what Crown Of Phantoms needs halfway through. This clever use of an instrumental is a perfect fit to balance the mega-furious songs from one another, as it allows it's listener to refresh, that is until the self-titled album track soon blares out. 'Crown Of Phantoms' is a stunning array of ferocity. As if nothing could stop this barraging wrecking ball of noise, the music just keeps getting heavier, and more angry by the second.
Deep growls bellow out from the start of 'Kings Of The Shadow World' as the variety begins to kick in. This track altogether has a more epic feel to it than some of the previous contenders, however this only adds to the band's diversity. 'Wrapped In Violence' takes a more unusual approach, starting in an almost nu-metal genre. Instrumentally slower than the majority of every other riff on the album, erupting a gloom-filled frustrating monster of a song from start to finish. If you're lucky enough to snatch the album with bonus track 'New Apocalypse' then you'll enjoy this track just as much as previous ones. The track includes a menacing guitar solo worthy of the album as well as a couple different vocal techniques, yet the track's downfall is that it doesn't live up to previous tracks such as 'The Machine', 'No Mercy', 'Spineless', or self-titled track 'Crown Of Phantoms'.
Although vocalist Mark Hunter is the only remaining original member of Chimaira, it's believable that the band are only heading up with this release with their new members scorching memorable yet crunchy riffs. After a past couple hit and miss records from the band, I can truly reveal this album to the band's ladder to future success. Crown Of Phantoms is going to blow listeners away, and if you're not listening then you're missing out on one of the world's most monstrous modern metal bands, who know exactly how to write destructive music whilst carefully combining elements of thrash, death, and progressive at it's finest.
Opener 'The Machine' hits hard with powerful riffs, proving the album's worth as a starting track when the song's chorus blares out, immediately becoming catchy and sing-along-to despite the fact it's still heavy as fuck. Chimaira have always had that style and effect with their releases, enabling them to be one of the more unique modern metal bands out there. I would seriously consider putting the band's sound and purpose inbetween other metal acts such as Lamb Of God, and Hatebreed - imagine something inbetween those and you'll get Chimaira's genre altogether. It's the strength within the thundering riffs that enable second track 'No Mercy' as a contender for one of the most evil sounding tracks released this year in metal. Fierce, brutal lyrics burst from Mark Hunter's throat - sounding more fiery with every release Chimaira are able to put out, proven within this song.
'All That's Left With Blood' doesn't let the album breathe just yet, pummelling the listener's ears with vicious attacks of early metalcore before it was even given that label. Rarely receiving a break, the chorus for this track is destined for a live crowd which will surely develop the most gnarly of mosh pits. Having said that, 'I Despise' is also born solely for playing live, starting with some of the most intelligent, chaotic riffs battling forward before breaching Mark's obscene lyrical content which fails to disappoint. Anger is purified within the song throughout - definitely enabling 'I Despise' as a stand-out on the entire album.
A brief interlude known as 'The Transmigration' is exactly what Crown Of Phantoms needs halfway through. This clever use of an instrumental is a perfect fit to balance the mega-furious songs from one another, as it allows it's listener to refresh, that is until the self-titled album track soon blares out. 'Crown Of Phantoms' is a stunning array of ferocity. As if nothing could stop this barraging wrecking ball of noise, the music just keeps getting heavier, and more angry by the second.
Deep growls bellow out from the start of 'Kings Of The Shadow World' as the variety begins to kick in. This track altogether has a more epic feel to it than some of the previous contenders, however this only adds to the band's diversity. 'Wrapped In Violence' takes a more unusual approach, starting in an almost nu-metal genre. Instrumentally slower than the majority of every other riff on the album, erupting a gloom-filled frustrating monster of a song from start to finish. If you're lucky enough to snatch the album with bonus track 'New Apocalypse' then you'll enjoy this track just as much as previous ones. The track includes a menacing guitar solo worthy of the album as well as a couple different vocal techniques, yet the track's downfall is that it doesn't live up to previous tracks such as 'The Machine', 'No Mercy', 'Spineless', or self-titled track 'Crown Of Phantoms'.
Although vocalist Mark Hunter is the only remaining original member of Chimaira, it's believable that the band are only heading up with this release with their new members scorching memorable yet crunchy riffs. After a past couple hit and miss records from the band, I can truly reveal this album to the band's ladder to future success. Crown Of Phantoms is going to blow listeners away, and if you're not listening then you're missing out on one of the world's most monstrous modern metal bands, who know exactly how to write destructive music whilst carefully combining elements of thrash, death, and progressive at it's finest.
- The Machine
- No Mercy
- All That's Left Is Blood
- I Despise
- Plastic Wonderland
- The Transmigration
- Crown Of Phantoms
- Spineless
- Kings Of The Shadow World
- Wrapped In Violence
- Love Soaked Death
- New Apocalypse (Bonus Track)
Label: http://www.spv.de
Reviewer: twansibon
Aug 27, 2013
Aug 27, 2013
Next review:
Germ Bomb - Sound Of Horns
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