The Great Deceiver – Terra Incognito
Peaceville – CDVILEF120P – 2004
By Nathan Pearce
In 2002
The Great Deceiver unveiled itself as a force to be reckoned with in the hardcore universe. "
A Venom Well Designed" caused a large uproar with extreme music lovers worldwide. Why? Because the great Tomas Lindberg does the vocals? NO! Because
The Great Deceiver plays the best damn hardcore/metal hybrid this side of well . . . anybody.
New album "
Terra Incognito" is pretty much in the same vein as "
A Venom Well Designed". Clean, crisp production gives way to sharp and precise riffing, subtle electronics or effected guitar undertones, groove laden rhythm, and excellent hardcore yells, screams, and growls from none other than Mr. Lindberg. The main difference this time around on
"Terra Incognito" is the way the songs seem to reflect themselves as more of a unified effort. I’m not saying "
A Venom Well Designed" wasn’t cohesive or concise. I’m just trying to explain how
The Great Deceiver now seems like a band that has been around the block. They now have a few gigs under their belts, and the songwriting process is now second nature. This is a natural evolution on a second album, and this is an evolution that only improves on the amazing display of hardcore innovation that
The Great Deceiver established from the get go.
As their songs have become more “band” oriented, "
Terra Incognito" shows
The Great Deceiver becoming slightly more melodic at times. Don’t worry, though. I am not sensing ANY melodeath/hardcore tendencies that have become so popular in the USA.
The Great Deceiver is a hardcore band first and foremost.
With their ability to innovate with subtle dynamics and effects,
The Great Deceiver has quickly launched themselves to the level of such hardcore innovators as
Snapcase and
Burnt By the Sun. But
The Great Deceiver manages to include enough aggression and melody to make the typical metalhead feel perfectly at home listening to what is essentially a hardcore band. "
Terra Incognito" is easily on par with the band’s earlier work, and it is easily one of 2004’s best releases . . . and I doubt that will change throughout the remaining 9 months of the year.
9.5/10
The Great Deceiver’s Official Website
Peaceville’s Official Website
