Sweden's version of Bolt Thrower are back for another
round of death metal savagery. This time with their second full-length album,
called The Aftermath. Not much has
changed in the JBD camp, main man Anders Biazzi is still Platoon leader aka
songwriter, guitar player and bass player. With vocals being handled by an tank
load (boat load, but in a more metal way) people. This concept of using a
different vocalist is really cool since you get a bit of a different taste for
every song. The only difference is the addition of drummer Brynjar Helgetun. What we get is mid paced catchy
death metal. Nothing overtly technical or spaced out. Just solid death metal
that does exactly what it is supposed to do. Super heavy and head banger
friendly.
So far JBD is following the
Bolt Thrower way of doing things, keeping it simple and if it isn't broke,
don't fix it. The music continues in the same vein as their previous album
Precis innan gryningen. And since this is such a solid album why should I complain
about that? And especially since Bolt Thrower seems to be dead set on not
releasing a new album. So I open my arms
whole heartedly to this release. Of course there is nothing really new here and
you have probably heard this before if you like this sort of music. But in my mind good songwriting comes before
technicality and innovation. And when the song writing is as solid as on this
one I can only gobble it up and ask for seconds.
The second band that springs to mind while listening
to The Aftermath is Amon Amarth. I guess this is not such a strange thing since
that Mr Biazzi played in Amon Amarth many years ago. I am guessing that he
shaped their sound in their early years since many melodies sound very
familiar. And the same use of harmony sounds is found here as well. Maybe I am bold to state this, but I think
JBD is a way superior band than the before mentioned band. I know that this
might get a few fan boys knickers in a twist, but instead of going nuts in
comment sections. Do yourself the favor of checking out Just before the dawn
and The Aftermath. You might just get a new favorite band.
The sound of this album is just top notch, I really
like the mix. Every instrument is clearly audible, but the emphases is on the
vocals and the guitars. Which is very good since the riffs and the vocals are
the most interesting thing on this album. I am not saying that the drums a
poorly played or anything. But they are not exactly doing anything super
interesting. They are just giving the foundation to the riffs. Keeping a steady
beat in the background. And I guess for
an album like this, this is exactly what the drums should be doing. Then again they are way louder than on the
last record. And that is a good thing. The
playing overall is great, of course there is nothing super technical or I guess
technical at all. But I have always been of the opinion that the hardest trick
to pull off in any art form is to make something simple yet interesting. And
that Ladies and Gentlemen, Just before dawn has truly done here. A meat and
potatoes death metal album that will make you come back for more.
So if you like mid paced death metal this album is a
must have. Any fan of the bands I mentions as reference will absolutely love
Just before dawn's new album The Aftermath. Over and out.
Sweden`s Wilhelm Lindh, "Portuguese by adoption," guitar player, composer and owner of the Doom / Death Metal band The Gardnerz, reviews here in HeavyHardMetalmania.net. Careful and professional analysis to the music and albums with suggestions of what there is to see and hear ... not to be missed. "The wisdom is found in the extremes, all extreme Metal here!".
Start listening. Get steamrolled. Released 27 October 2014
1.Across The Battlefield
2.Lightning War
3.Soulburner
4.Incomming
5.Bastard Battalion
6.Death From Above
7.Device Of Utter Death
8.Bastogne
9.Through The Mud
10.Blitzkrieg Brigade
11.Feast Of The Firedemon
12.The Aftermath
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