Angerstrike - Blackened Sky
Gomek Records - GOMEK 04 - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
Now this is more like it. The second of four albums/EPs I received from Gomek Records (who put every release on their roster up for free download in its entirety from their homepage),
Angerstrike's
Blackened Sky makes me far more optimistic about the future quality of music from this label than the shoddy effort that was
Allerjen's
Resurrection did.
Angerstrike's blend of modern thrash speed riffage, metalcore punch and aggression and death metal stomp and downtuned heaviness makes for a viscerally cathartic, if not particularly intellectually engaging listen.
The band do tend to wear their influences on their sleeves from time to time - the rhymthic lock-step of
Pantera's heaviest moments never seems to be far from the group's minds, while some tracks (the title song, for instance) veer a little too close to
Lamb Of God's template for comfort. This said, however, there's little denying that this particular style of metal when done well can prove to be a viciously entertaining listen. And so it proves here, the tight musicianship and obvious instrumental proficiency bolstered by a clear, punchy and near-professional quality mix - a considerable gain, considering the band's evidently low-budget status.
Of course, there's not too much within
Blackened Sky that makes them stand out head and shoulders above their peers, and if you've already got the discographies of
Lamb Of God,
Slayer, and
Pantera, then you may find this release somewhat redundant. However, if you really can't get enough of the kind of adrenalised thrash/core
Angerstrike deal in, you'll find
Blackened Sky a more than satisfying listen.
6/10
UM's Review Rating Scale
Official Angerstrike Website
Official Gomek Records Website
