Portal - For All That Is Damned To Vanish
Portal are very much down with a developed Gothenburg sound and if ‘In the Steps of Forgotten Gods’ is anything to go by, this band do not produce half measures. Ferocity matched with a keen eye on melody sounds second nature to this band and you will also find some nice groove parts that will keep all that knows a thing or two about melodic death metal eternally happy while spinning this album. Some sections will put you in the mind of early In Flames prior to ‘Clayman’ right up through the battering thundering nature of some Amon Amarth. Portal manage to depict a warrior ethic into their music and deliver this with a solid modern production that meets all the expectations for this day and age and that warrior tone also comes out from the vocal. With power, passion and provocation, Portal adds powerhouse drum patterns to their arrangements which are rather sparse in terms of individual solos. The release is more of a group arranged package although there are good results when you listen to ‘On Far Trails’.
There is inclusion of some metalcore styled screams and melodic style vocals, but that should not sway your favour towards this band. ‘A Marschmans Belief’ continues the melo’death groove that flows effortlessly with aggression right through this album. This is krux of this release, all tunes are consistently pleasing and possess strong production. ‘Kamp’ picks another fight with juggernaut groove and plays hard to your hearing once the vocal is introduced. The release does miss some trademark guitar solos, but in all honesty, you would have probably heard this before, ‘For All That Is Damned To Vanish’ remains strong and doesn’t sound like it a release that is trying to sound like it should. Let’s face it, there are countless bands out there within this sub-genre, but Portal really hit the spot, a lot of this is to do with the production, but there is a genuine level of atmosphere in these well written tracks, a very confident release with a sense of character that I really enjoy.
There is inclusion of some metalcore styled screams and melodic style vocals, but that should not sway your favour towards this band. ‘A Marschmans Belief’ continues the melo’death groove that flows effortlessly with aggression right through this album. This is krux of this release, all tunes are consistently pleasing and possess strong production. ‘Kamp’ picks another fight with juggernaut groove and plays hard to your hearing once the vocal is introduced. The release does miss some trademark guitar solos, but in all honesty, you would have probably heard this before, ‘For All That Is Damned To Vanish’ remains strong and doesn’t sound like it a release that is trying to sound like it should. Let’s face it, there are countless bands out there within this sub-genre, but Portal really hit the spot, a lot of this is to do with the production, but there is a genuine level of atmosphere in these well written tracks, a very confident release with a sense of character that I really enjoy.
- In The Steps Of Forgotten Gods
- The Grand Gesture
- On Far Trails
- The Wild And The Furious
- In Chase For The Sun
- A Marschmans Belief
- The Celebration Of My Fall
- Kamp
- Curse Of The Fifth Crown
Label: http://www.vicrecords.com
Reviewer: twansibon
Mar 29, 2014
Mar 29, 2014
Next review:
Hammerdrone - Clone Of Europa
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