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This release keeps the main characteristics and high standards of the previous one "Broken Dream". Although the previous singer Jarno Blom has been replaced by Miko Virtanen the voice characteristics have remained the same, however slightly dirtier and coarser. It reminds me a bit of Hetfield, especially the way he sings the prolonged ("yiieeeiii" or "yoooooh") vowels. Grendel are based a great deal on vocals. Virtainen wins you more because of his passion rather than his abilities (he is undoubtedly a good singer but not an e.g. Eric Adams). The overall sound is heavier and more Sentenced oriented, but still presented with their personal identity.
The first song "Fall from the top" is a small masterpiece. The main idea is inspired. Vocals are wavy (do up and down), while guitars are solid and Sentenced influnced. At "Futile" both speed and interest are decreased. "Legions" is the most death metal-like song, something like a lighter edition of Entombed or Dismember (I like this experimentation). In the middle there is a slow change of rhythm. "The Scar" vocals return to their familiar epic power route empowered by the heavy cut riffs. Changes of rhythm and variety don't tire at all the listener, which unfortunately happens at "Hate me", due to the repetition of the main theme. In the end they present the small diamond "Dreams". Since many former great bands seem to be a relic of their prime glorious past (Sentenced is a good example, which tend to become a heavier edition of HIM), why not to give place to new and hopeful groups like Grendel?
| Tracklist |
| 1. Fall From The Top |
| 2. Futile |
| 3. Legions Of The Dead |
| 4. The Scar |
| 5. Hate Me |
| 6. Dreams |
: 28.39
| Buy other Grendel albums |
