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Spellbound are a German thrash band formed at the relatively recent date of 1998, but their sound successfully bridges the gap between the classic thrash past and the challenges of the modern metal world. It would have been easy for them to produce a very run of the mill, thrash-by-numbers record here, but somehow they have managed to avoid this and keep each song fresh and captivating, without compromising their thrash influences. Apparently, the members of this band started out playing a melodic death metal style, but on this album it is a pure thrash metal assault! Apart from the seemingly pointless intro track, the whole thing is pretty much a battery of speed and energetic riffs, but with enough variety to make it listenable from start to finish. A particular highlight is the 6 minute monster track Arrival of the Gods, where the guitars work particularly well with the aggressive, raspy vocals, but there isn’t really a dull track on here. Spellbound’s style is reminiscent of Coma of Souls era Kreator, with plenty of Bay Area melody thrown in as well. The track Focus 22 offers a change of pace, with some nice slower paced playing, but then the following track Trust the Fire picks up the speed again with a particularly great chorus.
The main point to make is that this is a thrash album that contains enough variety to keep you listening all the way through, but it is also thrash without compromise, driven by pounding drumming (with the occasional blast beat added) and plenty of beefy riffs to keep your head banging! The riffs are mainly quick-paced and complex, but they also include slowed down thrash breaks which work well, and also slower groovy sections which serve their purpose well without slipping into the style of groove metal. All of this is delivered with glistening clarity, with a pummelling production sound which powerfully brings out every note and beat. The only thing which could be said is that from time to time the guitars seem to settle into very typical palm muted riffs with the drums doing the standard thrash-speed playing, so that occasionally the songs lack originality. Nonetheless, this band has managed to conquer a potentially cliché-ridden style with triumph with a set of songs that are catchy and varied but still thoroughly thrashing! A very enjoyable album from start to finish.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Sonic Departure |
| 2. Incoming Destiny |
| 3. Arrival Of Gods |
| 4. The Hollow |
| 5. Spiritual Decline |
| 6. Focus 22 |
| 7. Trust In The Fire |
| 8. View To Remote |
| 9. Hate |
| 10. The Human Race |
: 40.02
| Buy other Spellbound albums |
