Stormbringer Webzine

Metal Reviews

 

"Condemned To Suffer"

All Out War

 

 

Combining the extreme aggression of early Hardcore and Thrash Metal, All Out War not only crosses the boundaries of both, they pummel precept to death and stand above the fallen corpse without a hint of fear. Imagine the tenacity of an Agnostic Front or Napalm Death crossing horns with Slayer, Vader, or Deicide, and twelve tracks thematically tied to the horror of the human condition, and thus a little light shed on the groundbreaking appeal of "Condemned To Suffer."

Five years in the making, since their last "For Those Who Were Crucified" release, this record takes hold of the pure intensity of the NY street scene and conceptualizes it in a bleaker, broader stroke to apply to all humankind to the point where personal issues of pride and perseverance clash head on with Death Metal led principles that go far beyond the individual view to examine the world's decay as a whole.

Tracks like "Straight Towards Extinction," "Bleeding The Weak," or "Destined To Burn," can easily trace the fall of man, the community, and the hypocrisy of those at the helm. "Gone Forever" at the bottom is among the greater character leaps from the expected, smoothly executing a foreboding intro before lashing into a thrashing rage befitting of any size pit, picking up, slowing down, raising hell and fittingly fading to black. It's the playability present here that goes far beyond the ranks of typically Hardcore music. The guitar riffs merge with dark melodies, death grunts, gang vocals and riveting double bass to produce a masterfully executed crossover record that will appeal to followers of all forms of the extreme.

Released by Victory Records. Po Box 146546, Chicago, IL 60614.
Victory Website : http://www.victoryrecords.com

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]
______________________________
METAL STORM PRODUCTIONS
Vinnie Apicella
P.O. Box 20252
Park West Station
New York, NY 10025
212-865-2848 / c:845-729-9977

http://www.columbia.edu/~va85

 

 

for those who were crucified
ALL OUT WAR



All Out War are :
Mike Score on Vocals
Taras Apuzzo on Guitar
Jim Antonelli on Guitar
Jesse Sotherland on Drums
Eric Carrillo on Bass

The tracks are :
1. soaked in torment
2. burning season
3. for those who were crucified
4. resist
5. claim your innocence
6. false salvation
7. redemption for the innocent
8. witness the end
9. into the flames of progression
10. after autumn
11. enemies of creation
12. truth in the age of lies
13. apocalyptic terror + hidden tracks

The album 'for those who were crucified', starts off with 'soaked in torment' this is a very powerful opening track with a very heavy guitar sound, the pace starts off quite fast , but slows down once the vocals come in, although there are a few changes in pace along the way. The vocals are typical hardcore, screaming, throaty and in your face. The track ends abruptly and the next track comes in sharply...

The next track is 'burning season' this is hardcore as it comes In Your Face!. The musicianship is tight, slightly faster pace than the previuos track and the chorus is even faster, unfortunately the track is over before you know it.

The third and title track is 'for those who were crucified', which starts with some guitar licks, the whole thing picks up pace when the vocals come in. This is a full blown heavy metal assault with some nice guitar work, the bass is heavy as hell (I am just wondering whether my head will still be intact by the end of the album).

Track five 'claim your innocence' starst off with a more melodic approach with some nice guitar, or at least for the first 30 seconds, before the track takes off like a nuclear missile hitting you right between the eyes. (You think I'm joking, don't you)

The seventh track 'redemption for the innocent' starts off with a short religious passage with monks singing in the background (Nice touch) and this is followed by the band coming in, start/stop riffs, but still retaining quite a strong melody, the vocals are strong and powerful.

The ninth track 'into the flames of progression' starts off with some excellent guitar work, slow, melodic, but powerful, but the mood changes completely when the vocals come in, faster tempo, and right in your face. There are some some changes in direction, mood and tempo and some outstanding guitar work.

Some bands come to mind on listening to this album, Slayer, Pantera, and the likes and although nothing original, the musicianship is first class and there are some excellent songs on this album. Will appeal to lovers of the above said bands and hardcore fans.

Released by Victory Records. Po Box 146546, Chicago, IL 60614.
Victory Website : http://www.victoryrecords.com