Demonoid – Riders of the Apocalypse
Nuclear Blast Records – October 5th, 2004
By Jason Jordan
I must confess: I didn’t see this one coming at all. What has essentially blindsided me is
Demonoid’s Riders of the Apocalypse. If you do the least bit of research, you’ll probably encounter information stating that the aforementioned contains former and current members of perennial-metallers
Therion. Well, I’m proof that you don’t need to idolize
Therion to enjoy
Riders of the Apocalypse. The latter is rewarding in its own right.
We’re led into “Wargods” with entrancing drums, then death hits soon afterwards. The 1:00 minute mark brings a fantastic, harmonious lead that is anything but dull. The riffage within
Riders of the Apocalypse is nothing short of mesmerizing. From the get-go, it’s decipherable that incomparable musicianship inhabits the disc as well. “Firestorms” begins with excellent vocalizations, and those arresting riffs return; the instrumental sections, like most other parts of this record, are very captivating. “Witchburners” follows and is seemingly drab until the proverbial 1:00 minute mark, where variation – both in guitar and drums – elevates the song’s overall presence and worth. “14th Century Plague” utilizes a tranquil beginning, but musters enough strength to obtain heaviness soon after its inception. The track plods along a predictable course for most of its useless length. Fortunately, it soon segues into the superior “Hunger My Consort.” Parts of the latter remind me of a heavier
Strapping Young Lad. Out of nowhere, though, (2:40) the band delve into
Opeth territory with their juxtaposition of heavy and soft; it’s a nice insertion. “Arrival of the Horsemen” builds to a crescendo and is subsequently gripping through its unparalleled riffing and superb outro. “End of Our Times” and “Death” are fitting ends to what began with “Wargods.”
Though
Riders of the Apocalypse is not a perfect record, it succeeds insomuch that its accessibility compels me to listen. Seriously, this is great stuff. Arguably this is the finest release from Nuclear Blast Records this year. And from
Demonoid…who knew?!
9/10
Ultimatemetal’s Interview with Demonoid
Official Nuclear Blast Records website
