Starkill

Surprise of the year right here! Look at this album cover:



To my eyes, this looks like some sort of modern-day screamo group who misguidedly thinks they're channeling Manowar or something. But my friend Rych told me this album was badass, so when I found it online for $3, I gave it a shot.

Screamo it is not! This is classic melodic death metal. I'm talking The Gallery-era Dark Tranquillity kind of stuff.





The whole album is awesome. If you dig old-school melodeath, buy it!

I can give the short version, or the long version, so I'll give the short version and say 'pass'.  

I definitely hear the similarities to Dark Tranquillity. Also a lot mid-era Hypocrisy & Omnium Gathering sounds. Even a little touch of Rotting Christ. I like it. I wouldn't have thought that judging by that gawdawful cover.

mc666 wrote:

I definitely hear the similarities to Dark Tranquillity. Also a lot mid-era Hypocrisy & Omnium Gathering sounds. Even a little touch of Rotting Christ. I like it. I wouldn't have thought that judging by that gawdawful cover.

Probably true. I was fairly late to the death metal scene so I'm no expert. I just bought my first Omnium Gatherum CD a month or two ago, for instance, and it was their latest. So my claim of "classic melodeath" might be a little off. It's there, though. =)

Oh, and it looks like they were previously known as Ballistika and Massakren and released a few demos.





Not sure why they got rid of the juggalo paint. Haha. Just bought the Massakren EP on Amazon for $4.45.

Looks like they were going for a melodic black metal approach originally. They had more of a Naglfar feel to their sound. They still need to rid themselves of the black nail polish, lol.

I listened and it's decent but it made me want to pull out older DT. I think they will get better.

Haven't heard the previous incarnations, but this is what comes to me after digesting the video:

Gloss, gloss, gloss, and more gloss, played by guys who have spent too much time at Guitar Center and not enough time in the pit or at the record store. I'd rather listen to k-pop, it's more memorable.

Someone steal their keyboard, quick!!

I like it. As is common with this type of music, I would rather have pure melody for vocals, but the music is so good I don't give a F*ck. Same with Revocation, speed\kill/hate, and Accuser, although of course those are all thrash bands.

Orion Crystal Ice wrote:

Haven't heard the previous incarnations, but this is what comes to me after digesting the video:

Gloss, gloss, gloss, and more gloss, played by guys who have spent too much time at Guitar Center and not enough time in the pit or at the record store. I'd rather listen to k-pop, it's more memorable.

hahaha

Too many mp3s ... not enough vinyl!

Temple of Blood wrote:

Orion Crystal Ice wrote:

Haven't heard the previous incarnations, but this is what comes to me after digesting the video:

Gloss, gloss, gloss, and more gloss, played by guys who have spent too much time at Guitar Center and not enough time in the pit or at the record store. I'd rather listen to k-pop, it's more memorable.

hahaha

Too many mp3s ... not enough vinyl!

You two are so cute.

Can't check the tunes yet, as I'm at work. Definitely will once I get home.

That being said, that cover is f*ckin' CHEESY as can be! Lol looks more like a cover of some flowery power metal band...

Completely love this album. It's a surprise find for me as well. It somehow is also reminding me of Bal-Sagoth.

Love the atmosphere. Love the keys! Woo!

I like the cover.

No real interest in checking out the band though, based on the descriptions.

Edit: although looking at reviews on Amazon, I can guarantee 10 years ago I probably would've liked it. They compare it to a mix of Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Blackguard, Dimmu Borgir, and others...so yeah. early to mid 20s me would've probably liked it. 35 year old me is not too interested in finding out.

ZombieHavoc wrote:

I like the cover.

No real interest in checking out the band though, based on the descriptions.

Edit: although looking at reviews on Amazon, I can guarantee 10 years ago I probably would've liked it. They compare it to a mix of Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Blackguard, Dimmu Borgir, and others...so yeah. early to mid 20s me would've probably liked it. 35 year old me is not too interested in finding out.

Good to know you make your own informed judgments.

Eyesore wrote:

Good to know you make your own informed judgments.

I made my own informed judgment based on my disinterest in every band mentioned in comparison to this band.