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I
have noticed that critics are not always that positive about this
debut album of Lords Of Decadence. This is a bit unfair. OK, I admit
that the band excessively takes example by Children Of Bodom, the
melodic guitar-parts can be found in the music of In Flames too (and
more bands) and there are indeed a few Soilwork elements. But where
will we end when it all comes down on originality, for instance in
the power metal genre? Nowhere, I guess. What matters are the next
questions: is the sound and production alright? Are they able to
write catchy compositions? Are the musicians skilled in playing
their instruments? In short: did the music on this album please you?
And in the case of this young, Austrian band I am able to answer
affirmative on every question. Look out, this is not a power metal
band, but melodic death metal according to Scandinavian model.
February 2001 can be considered as the official start of this band
of Vienna. The following years they played a lot of gigs as
supporting act and they did well on diverse contests. By being the
winner of the contest of Metal Hammer magazine, Lords of Decadence
opened the Summer Breeze festival in Germany in 2004. Earlier this
year, they were signed at the Italian Scarlet label, that released
Cognitive Note Of Discord officially in March.
Vocalist/guitarist Norbert Leitner has a well-sounding death metal
grunt, but the dark, normal vocals of bass player Andreas Tuma bring
up some variety. The songs are graced with euphonious guitar skills
and keyboards take care of an atmospheric background. It is not
mentioned who is responsible for this soothed element in the music,
keyboards. The ten tracks are a bomb of energy that blows us away,
without many moments of tranquillity, but because of their fluent
textures it all sounds accessible. Sometimes the band reminds me of
Graveworm too. For a debut we have no reason to complain at all.
Lords Of Decadence is on the right track! |
