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August 28, 2008 |
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HEAVEN SHALL BURN - Deaf To Our Prayers
Century Media (2006) |
8/10 |
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01. Counterweight
02. Trespassing The Shores Of Your World
03. Profane Believers
04. Stay The Course
05. The Final March
06. Of No Avail
07. Armia
08. Mybestfriends.com
09. Biogenesis (Undo Creation)
10. Dying In Silence
11. The Greatest Gift Of God
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It's already been more than two years since HEAVEN SHALL BURN's previous full-length album, "Antigone", which granted the Germans well deserved exposure. Their new opus, "Deaf To Our Prayers", was also released on Century Media and this time around the disc was recorded and mixed by renowned producer Jacob Hansen (MERCENARY, RAUNCHY).
If "Antigone" was considered as a mix of Death Metal and Hardcore, "Death To Our Prayers" seems, at least as far as the opening track, "Counterweight", is concerned, like it's leaning more towards the spirit of what the European Extreme Metal scene has offered lately. The sound is heavier than ever and all the melodies seem to be focused on the guitar riffs. If there is still some doubts about HSB's new musical orientation, Death Metal anthems like "Trespassing The Shores Of Your World" and "Biogenesis", are going to take them all away. The overall atmosphere of each song remains very aggressive and threatening by emphasizing on mid-tempos; HSB wants to make it clear that the message they are delivering is first and foremost a stand against all kinds of injustice.
Unlike most of their peers in today's Metal scene who are giving priority to the guitar solos, HSB are more focused on the riffs, particularly on the intros of songs like "Stay The Course" and "Mybestfriends.com", easily reminding of the atmosphere found on AT THE GATES' 1995 tour de force, "Slaughter Of The Soul". Consequently other tracks such as "The Final March" as well as "Dying In Silence" get closer to the ideas developed on IN FLAMES' most recent releases. The original HSB fan base will still be more than happy about this disc, especially with Metalcore gems such as "Of No Avail" or "Armia", which is by far one of the most interesting tracks ever recorded by HSB.
Despite the high level of quality displayed on "Deaf To Our Prayers", maybe due to the lack of guitar solos, the music of HSB may appear too linear here and there. Fortunately the inspiration will help the listener to remain entertained throughout the 11 tracks without getting bored. HSB is probably one of the most consistent acts out there today and deserve all the credit for it.
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