Condemned - A Dying Art
Condemned, brutal death metal from Belfast in Northern Ireland. A Dying Art is the bands' debut full length album. Prior to this, they have released a demo caled Prelude and two EPs - Somebody Stop... and ...and thats how I found them. I, for one have certainly been waiting for this release for some time. I am a fan of all of the band's previous releases and also can attest to the fact that they are a devastating live proposition so my anticipation has been heightened for this release.
Vocalist Pete also provides the throat for fellow Belfast band Zombified (also reviewed) and where that band is rooted in the old school in the best possible way, Condemned are forging their own path. They pay no heed to any kind of trend but that is not to say that they are in any time in the past or present, they are simply doing their own thing.
The album opens with what can only be described as someone being killed and that sets the tone for the brutality to come. These guys have never done anything by numbers. They have always been original and they keep that going on this release. The drumming is machine like but not overproduced to make them sound like they are not being played by a human being, they still sound organic. The bass has been known to be almost a lead instrument in parts. The guitars have always been special in Condemned, riff after riff twist and snake around the songs. They enhance everthing they touch here, they grind, they groove where they need to but never get lazy. Then we get to the vocals, Pete is a monster and his performance is devastating from ultra low gutturals to higher pitched screams the range is incredible here. Also the lyrics add to this release, they are by no means run of the mill and add to the sinister nature of the release. A couple of tracks from the earlier EP ...and thats how I found them (Leave Me Alone or I'll Kill Again and Almost Cannibal) get reworked on the album - Leave Me Alone or I'll Kill Again shortened to Leave Me Alone and they sound sick. They are not at all added as filler but have new life breathed into them to devastating effect.
Condemned are on top of their game and will stay there, they cut no corners. They have always taken their time and the quality of their output in both the recording studio and live environment is testament to that. This band are a sick and devastating proposition. They are essential if you like your death metal brutal and uncomprimising.
Vocalist Pete also provides the throat for fellow Belfast band Zombified (also reviewed) and where that band is rooted in the old school in the best possible way, Condemned are forging their own path. They pay no heed to any kind of trend but that is not to say that they are in any time in the past or present, they are simply doing their own thing.
The album opens with what can only be described as someone being killed and that sets the tone for the brutality to come. These guys have never done anything by numbers. They have always been original and they keep that going on this release. The drumming is machine like but not overproduced to make them sound like they are not being played by a human being, they still sound organic. The bass has been known to be almost a lead instrument in parts. The guitars have always been special in Condemned, riff after riff twist and snake around the songs. They enhance everthing they touch here, they grind, they groove where they need to but never get lazy. Then we get to the vocals, Pete is a monster and his performance is devastating from ultra low gutturals to higher pitched screams the range is incredible here. Also the lyrics add to this release, they are by no means run of the mill and add to the sinister nature of the release. A couple of tracks from the earlier EP ...and thats how I found them (Leave Me Alone or I'll Kill Again and Almost Cannibal) get reworked on the album - Leave Me Alone or I'll Kill Again shortened to Leave Me Alone and they sound sick. They are not at all added as filler but have new life breathed into them to devastating effect.
Condemned are on top of their game and will stay there, they cut no corners. They have always taken their time and the quality of their output in both the recording studio and live environment is testament to that. This band are a sick and devastating proposition. They are essential if you like your death metal brutal and uncomprimising.
- The Dark Place
- Everybody Died Last Night
- My Blood Runs Black
- Here Come My Eyes
- A Dying Art
- Almost Cannibal
- Every Last Cruelty
- The Body in the Box
- Death Followed...
- Leave Me Alone
