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Formed
ten years ago by original Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, this is the
forth release from the band and is surely their best. The album itself
is a full blown metal onslaught but still is full of thought provoking
lyrics that you don’t often hear on other metal albums, the temptation
of other bands is to go with the stereotype lyrics that you associate
with the genre (death, the devil and the like).
Grip Inc have put together a blistering album and Gus Chamber’s vocals
are superb throughout the album. Waldemar Sorychta’s guitar work is
second to none bringing melody and vision to this genre. This is still a
full-blown metal album but has a certain class of its own. Right from
the opening track ‘Curse (of the Cloth)’ with its intense opening
then its determined guitars and vocals, then speeding up to a flurry of
guitars and drums through to the end.
‘The Answer’ delivers a political message asking us what is wrong
with the world today. A popular theme for many bands on our ever trouble
world and how did we ever get to this stage. ‘The Prophecy’ and
‘Endowment of Apathy’ keep the tempo going strong with Dave
Lombardo's drums taking the forefront but not drowning out the once
again excellent guitar work.
‘Enemy Mind’ has a flamenco style guitar throughout that is
something new and still seems strangely not out of place. ‘Skin
Trade’ is back to a full force metal assault on the senses. ‘(Built
to) Resist’ sees the band go to another level with introduction of
violin and cello that gives the track a definite Rammstein feel about
it.
‘The Gift’ foregoes the need for speed and goes for the more
haunting feel unlike ‘The Privilege’ that takes you on roller
coaster ride throughout with its fast paced drums then the introduction
again of classical strings. ‘Blood of Saints’ is back to basics with
thunderous guitars and drums and power vocals metal at its best.
The final track ‘Man with NO Insides’ once again goes down the
Rammstein trail with that premeditate feel about it. The album has a
number of guest musicians appearing on it which include Eicca Toppinen (Apocalyptica),
Jeff Collin, Sandra Schleret (Davangel), Lisa D. Robin (She Devil), Sami
Yli-Sirnio (Kreator), and Su Maha Ya (FSO).
The album also includes three videos which are bound to have the fans
even more ecstatic about this band and it’s music than they would have
been with just the music. All in all the band have got to be very proud
of this album and is a just statement of there combined musical talents
that gel so well.
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