The Oath - Consequences
The moment I see any extreme metal release coming out of France my first thoughts are to throw away any preconceived notions of genre parameters and start with a blank canvas on which to scribble notes and The Oath are exactly that kind of band. This is the bands fourth release and I've not listened to any of their previous work but concentrated on this as it's five years since the last album release.
Starting the album with sound effects and distant vocals over a tannoy I believe is supplanted by a spoken piece that states "I do not hope for a better world for anyone... in fact I want my pain to be inflicted on others"; suitably menacing the tune explodes with a death metal riff and symphonics that are extremely catchy. The music has a black edge due to the symphonics but also the very umbrous feathering on the riffs. Clean vocals are inserted as well and sound excellent and match the likes of current era Keep Of Kalessin, possessing a middle eastern inflection and sit highly appropriate in the song writing. The opener also has a blinding lead break and some riffing you wouldn't find amiss on a power metal album but exude a Behemoth like aura due to the power and sheer vibrancy they unleash. Again some effects follow with some electronics on "Crimson Path" before yielding for a subtle guitar hook and kick drum beat. The riff announces itself like old Fear Factory, it has that inherent catchiness and thundering beat that is hard to ignore and get out of the senses. As the tune develops I can hear stuff coming from all over which is trademark for French bands as the electronic work on this song reminded me of The Kovenant's second album when they had to change their name from Covenant.
There always seems to be a theatrical edge to extreme metal bands from France and I'm referring to the bands compositional talent and not vocal styles which are growled mostly but with some clean sections as I stated earlier. Bursting into "Silent Dreams" the vocal bellow is very like Nergal, as layered symphonics are ceremoniously decorated with riffing chic that is just so catchy and especially when the clean vocals filter in which for a change really suit the song writing and would make this release less exciting if without them. There's some fret acrobatics as well akin to the Children Of Bodom way of picking but is far more crushing as the pitch increases with escalating fluidity as the lead progresses. A tune like "Deconstruction" is likely to raise a few eyebrows as it has lots of electronic charm initially before shifting sideways to a fret tapping lead break introduction and massive vocal roar. The keyboard adornments add that element of grandiosity I particularly like from black metal as layers of melody are bolted together by sequentially arranged crescendos and troughs for maximum impact.
The much slower and melodic "Create The Infinite" has an air of majestic arrogance, deservedly so, before an obliterating snare blast and keyboard saturation is gelled with some ferocious riffing and drumming. Demonic vocals devour the listener with emotionless fervour allowing the instrumentation to indeed create a void of infinite melodious brutality. One thing that stands out with this release is the attention to the lead work which is stunning throughout, adding colour to the red/black aura that seeps from the tunes as a whole. The opening riff to "Unchanged" is awesome, tremendously melodic it harnesses that ability to pen a catchy hook but then embellish it with hostility via the drums and bass that almost goes unnoticed but is pivotal within the bands song structures creating a bedrock of rumbling panache. The slightly strange sci-fi intro to the closing track "Endless Fallacies" is weird but quickly brushed aside by a more mid-paced stomping tune and distinctly modernised riffing approach but with beastly vocals and blasting prowess that Septicflesh write these days. The bass work here especially is thundering and shores up the whole tune as clean vocals join the growls for a beauty and the beast battle. Some will turn their nose at the electronics but for me it all works splendidly and has given another reason to fork out some cash on a band oozing with class and dripping with song writing and playing brilliance.
Starting the album with sound effects and distant vocals over a tannoy I believe is supplanted by a spoken piece that states "I do not hope for a better world for anyone... in fact I want my pain to be inflicted on others"; suitably menacing the tune explodes with a death metal riff and symphonics that are extremely catchy. The music has a black edge due to the symphonics but also the very umbrous feathering on the riffs. Clean vocals are inserted as well and sound excellent and match the likes of current era Keep Of Kalessin, possessing a middle eastern inflection and sit highly appropriate in the song writing. The opener also has a blinding lead break and some riffing you wouldn't find amiss on a power metal album but exude a Behemoth like aura due to the power and sheer vibrancy they unleash. Again some effects follow with some electronics on "Crimson Path" before yielding for a subtle guitar hook and kick drum beat. The riff announces itself like old Fear Factory, it has that inherent catchiness and thundering beat that is hard to ignore and get out of the senses. As the tune develops I can hear stuff coming from all over which is trademark for French bands as the electronic work on this song reminded me of The Kovenant's second album when they had to change their name from Covenant.
There always seems to be a theatrical edge to extreme metal bands from France and I'm referring to the bands compositional talent and not vocal styles which are growled mostly but with some clean sections as I stated earlier. Bursting into "Silent Dreams" the vocal bellow is very like Nergal, as layered symphonics are ceremoniously decorated with riffing chic that is just so catchy and especially when the clean vocals filter in which for a change really suit the song writing and would make this release less exciting if without them. There's some fret acrobatics as well akin to the Children Of Bodom way of picking but is far more crushing as the pitch increases with escalating fluidity as the lead progresses. A tune like "Deconstruction" is likely to raise a few eyebrows as it has lots of electronic charm initially before shifting sideways to a fret tapping lead break introduction and massive vocal roar. The keyboard adornments add that element of grandiosity I particularly like from black metal as layers of melody are bolted together by sequentially arranged crescendos and troughs for maximum impact.
The much slower and melodic "Create The Infinite" has an air of majestic arrogance, deservedly so, before an obliterating snare blast and keyboard saturation is gelled with some ferocious riffing and drumming. Demonic vocals devour the listener with emotionless fervour allowing the instrumentation to indeed create a void of infinite melodious brutality. One thing that stands out with this release is the attention to the lead work which is stunning throughout, adding colour to the red/black aura that seeps from the tunes as a whole. The opening riff to "Unchanged" is awesome, tremendously melodic it harnesses that ability to pen a catchy hook but then embellish it with hostility via the drums and bass that almost goes unnoticed but is pivotal within the bands song structures creating a bedrock of rumbling panache. The slightly strange sci-fi intro to the closing track "Endless Fallacies" is weird but quickly brushed aside by a more mid-paced stomping tune and distinctly modernised riffing approach but with beastly vocals and blasting prowess that Septicflesh write these days. The bass work here especially is thundering and shores up the whole tune as clean vocals join the growls for a beauty and the beast battle. Some will turn their nose at the electronics but for me it all works splendidly and has given another reason to fork out some cash on a band oozing with class and dripping with song writing and playing brilliance.
- Never To Be Seen Again
- Crimson Flesh
- Consequences
- Silent Dreams
- Deconstruction
- Today I Die
- Create The Infinite
- Unchanged
- The Final Sleep
- Endless Fallacies
Label: www.sliptrickrecords.com
Reviewer: twansibon
Jul 27, 2015
Jul 27, 2015
Next review:
Party Cannon - Bong Hit Hospitalisation
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