It is well played and the mix is like it's crawling all over you; this is the epitome of modern sound.
Apparently it is 2065. We are in the grip of a war called The Great War. No one has time to name things in an entertaining way anymore, due to them being in the middle of the war. It has destroyed the world as we know it. Ant and Dec are now working as land girls, Piers Morgan has been melted down for gun oil and Evesham has been sold to Abu Dhabi. But fear not, Chontaraz and their band of soldiers travel the earth preaching a message of hope.
That is only partially fabricated though some of it is from the press release. Here come Chontaraz, telling us just how hopeful it can be. Words of hope, presented with music! If they gave us this kind of stuff, you might find your audience checking their FB page and reposting recipes of Jamie Oliver's Great War burgers.
Because this is only occasionally good. If you want a blistering attack with hammering riffing and some gargling, faux demonic vocals (possibly sounding like a cross between Russell Allen, Sean Peck and Udo Dirkschneider), this will be absolutely up your alley. Opener 'Eyrusalem' is nicely proportioned, hard but accessible. However, 'Plebeians' is like a pub drunk, pushy and little else.
The title track has a jog and a wholly expected chorus and 'Mindcrime' has the double kicks we know and expect, plus some over-singing which doesn't always stay sweet. There are moments of niceness; 'Rhind Am Naak' and 'Am I Evil' have a Euro Metal bristle, but don't forget to let us into the chorus. 'Deciphering The Code' is a real surprise, a pulsing piece of Depeche Mode dark machinery.
It is well played and the mix is like it's crawling all over you; this is the epitome of modern sound. Pity that some of them are already old fashioned. In 2065, even the devilish don't have all the all the best tunes.
Steve Swift
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