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This
is pretty incredible stuff. As excessive and indulgent as it may
seem, Arsis is all about control, about finding a balance in a
genre that’s laid as its most eloquent characteristic excessive
musicality. It obviously is hard work, there are more solos in
one song of We Are the Nightmare than in seven of Yngwie
Malmsteen’s (this is an exaggeration for sure), but contrary to
the Swede’s constant self-congratulating throbbing, this now
quartet adds the wanking in all the right places. Usually, where
a verse is only filled through confirming riffs, vocalist and
axeman James Malone along with guitarist Ryan Knight craft
pivotal sparks. Their shit almost sounds like fireworks in the
night; all colorful, all bombastic and yet all so metal at the
same time. Arsis’ level of technicality is extreme; as extreme;
the band is tirelessly pulling and pushing, stopping and
starting, drawing curves in all the suspected and unsuspected
places. It’s almost like technical thrash metal for the future,
or prog-laden melodic death metal from virtuous minds.
Those who
were lucky enough to hear Arsis’ previous release United in
Regret (out through Willowtip) have already been given the
band’s treatment. But We Are the Nightmare (the band’s
fifth release) is like United in Regret times four; more
technical, more excessive, more violent, faster, better
recorded, and clearly the result of better craft. As a result
this is a far more satisfying and complete aural experience.
In parts
Arsis even reminds of shiny tech black metal bands with the
vocals of Malone acquiring a neo necro shine and the music
approximating the hectic pace of symphony-less Cradle of Filth
or even Emperor. The anally minded may shrug off such
comparisons, but several passages bring that ilk to mind. Their
merit is in the songwriting though, as Arsis goes full throttle
on all fronts, they also manage to evenly distribute their
genres, offering an end product that balances power and melody,
and aggression with flowing dynamics.
MySpace
Read our review of Arsis'
United in Regret |
