Latest Reviews
| REDA LAKCHIRI | 02/25/2010 |
| great surprise |  |
I felt little or no enthusiasm at all when I found out this band's new album is about to be released. I have been let down with every release after their debut, which remains to this day one of my favorite modern US melo/tech death albums. Every effort that has followed was a step down, and every change they took sounded worse than the previous, to my ears at least. There have been minor changes in sound, style and overall attitude, one album after the other, but nothing too radical. Arsis were still the fast, technical, melodic death metal band from Virginia, that started out with that amazing debut but then starting sinking....
Until now, Starve For The Devil came out 2 days ago. I have been listening to it since yesterday, and after about a couple dozen listens I can safely say that this record will get at least as many spins as their first one did since the first time I listened to it. To say that it's their best album would be a premature overstatement, but I would not be surprised if it reaches that level eventually.
I guess I should elaborate a little more on Arsis' sound, before explaining what new this album brings to the table compared to their previous records. Arsis play a cool breed of very modern sounding, thrashy/technical, melodic metal with harsh death metal vocals. Not growls but more like shouts with a higher pitch. James Malone is Arsis, and I don't think I could put that any simpler than I did. The man started this band a decade ago, and has since seen it through a LOT, to say the least. Without going into the line-up changes in details, he is what appears to be the only original member in the band. James handles lead/rhythm guitars, lead vocals, and I'm pretty confident in his ability to write all of this band's music, I can tell you that he wrote most of it.
On this album his approach differs from anything they've put out before. It's definitely a lot more "thrash", a lot more "groovy" and heavy, while keeping the melody and the same vocals. Arsis sound all of a sudden like they decided to be a cheesy heavy metal band, playing simpler arrangements and way catchier riffs. Gone is all the wankery in the guitar playing/writing, everything is much punchier, and with a lot more substance. There is a lot of variety to the songs throughout the album, and every song has a catchy verse riff, or chorus riff, or something that just makes it completely stand out, while being just as good as the rest of them.
Many of you might wonder, why such a high score? It sounds like Arsis went from a more complex sound, than an easier one to listen to. YES, the answer would be, indeed they did. But the step could either be up or down. In this case, Arsis have suddenly acquired some BALLS in my book, they have a lot in common now with a lot of legendary bands, while keeping their own signature. As long as James Malone's guitars and vocal tones are there, this band will always stand out. You know Arsis when you hear it, but as it got annoying before, this time around it got a whole lot heavier and catchier.
I heard people say certain things about this man, anorexia is more frequent in forums. And the result can be seen, when I saw their new promo picture I couldn't believe I was looking at the same front man. When I saw them open for Exodus a few years ago he certainly looked different, Arsis were literally "heavier", if you see my meaning. James says that the album's title is like poking fun at what he had to overcome. Whatever floats your boat, if that means you can put out music this good then everyone should starve for him!
Go out and buy this, it's the most entertainment you can get out of a thrashy melodic album, without it being a total ripoff.
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