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August 29, 2008 |
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01. The Power
02. Separation Of My Soul
03. Breed Apart
04. Unborn (Intro)
05. Unborn
06. The Ashes Of The Gods
07. Reap The Fire
08. Touched By A Shadow Of Evil
09. Tools Of The Trade
10. Fight Or Die
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With the release of their debut "Ghouls of Grandeur" in 2003, Norway's Grimfist immediately gained the attention of the international Metal Press, as they easily proved to be able to take the best from Black, Death and Thrash Metal in order to create their own style. Two years later, the lineup still includes original members guitarist/bassist Ole Walaunet and vocalist Frediablo. However, original drummer Horgh (ex IMMORTAL), who left in order to join forces with HYPOCRISY, has since then been replaced with Christian Svendsen. The follow-up album also marks a change in the production team. It was not co-assumed by Peter Tägtgren (who was also in charge of the mixing and engineering). This time around, the album was fully produced by GRIMFIST themselves and mixed at Studio Fredman in Sweden.
At the beginning of the opening track, "The Power", it is clear that there is a noticeable evolution in GRIMFIST's sound. The whole thing just seems thicker, fuller, and a lot heavier. The anger that surrounded their very dark debut is back at full force towards the end of the song with a surprising wink to old-school Black Sabbath, which enhances the song instead of contrasting with the rest of it. GRIMFRIST keep unleashing the fury as the hyper-blasting "Separation Of My Soul" kicks in, with Frediablo sounding more pissed off than ever. And here again, one can appreciate the diversity of riffs and tempos within the same track in a mere 5-minute timeframe. Next, the thrashy intro of "Breed Apart" prepares the listener for one of the most elaborated tracks (to me) ever written by the band. Despite its catchiness, it remains extremely brutal sort of in a BLOODBATH way before evolving into a totally Black Metal vibe further on.
After a relaxing acoustic prelude, the fifth track "Unborn" jumps into a nasty feel, then making room for some Bay Area Thrash riffs and clear vocals during the chorus, and later on switching back to a faster and much darker atmosphere (if it's possible). "The Ashes Of The Gods” should please old school Black Metal fans. Despite being impeccable, Ole's guitar work never goes overboard. "Reap The Fire" takes you back to traditional GRIMFIST - ultra-fast, super heavy and delightfully extreme. Hearing this just makes me wonder where these guys get their energy from! Next, the instrumental "Touched By A Shadow of Evil" is exactly how you're going to feel after listening to this album. It is without a doubt one of the most depressing melodies I've ever heard, and rapidly creates a sentiment of growing unease as the song progresses. "Tools Of The Trade" starts off in the same vibe before quickly evolving to a monumental Black/Death-Metal masterpiece.
The sound on this track is just massive! Finally, the last track "Fight Or Die" completes the hostilities just as violently as this album started out.
If you've enjoyed releases from such acts as DEMONOID or WITCHERY and were hoping for something else to take it to the next level, GRIMFIST's "10 Steps To Hell" is probably the answer you've been looking for. It's extreme to the max! This album is phenomenal and I can definitely see it raising the benchmarks for future Metal releases.
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