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I can help but letting a smile spread across my face when I read about this French band. Their debut album from 2003 was called "Set Swords To Music" and this sophomore release bears the equally amusing title "Cross Words With Us". It seems to me as if they're trying to make fun of the stereotypes of the power metal genre but on the other they are a power metal band themselves. Then again, Guttural is not the typical band name in this genre. Musically these Frenchmen do not stray from the traditional concepts and most metalheads should feel comfortable while listening to their songs. The vocalist has a very strong French accent which might suggest that a language shift should be considered but on the other hand it also provides a personal Fabio Lione touch. Now I wouldn't want to compare the quality of these two vocalists because they do not play in the same league. Ludovic "Warwick" Van Lierde has a good voice and sings with care, never attempting to hit notes that he can not handle which is unfortunately a problem that some power metal bands suffer from.
There are fast double bass drum songs, there are slower, emotional passages and, unfortunately I have to say, plenty of guitar soloing. I do not exactly hold a grudge against solos but often they are used more to fill out and add an appearance of diversity to songs without actually adding anything by themselves. That is the case on this release and I believe that a few well placed would have been better than to have these everyday power metal solos that no-one cares about today anyway. Who remembers a solo from a Dragonforce song? Even though they are fast and impressive from a strictly technical aspect there is no real point of placing them in a song. Another minus for this album is the production which shows a rather hollow exterior and the cymbals in particular are a true earsore. This release has its ups and downs like most others but I must once again give them credit for their witty word plays.
| Tracklist |
| 1. The Four Lowing |
| 2. Prologue |
| 3. A Star In A Rainbow |
| 4. The Forgotten Isle Castle |
| 5. Distant World |
| 6. Mr. Hypocrite and Mrs. Hatred |
| 7. Vikland |
: 50.24
| Buy other Guttural albums |
