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New York-based thrashers, Havochate,
have thrown their 2nd album into the general underground public. Cycle
of Pain is an extremely diverse, heavy, and catchy metal offering
with a collage of vocal assortments. Anything from power metal chanting
to near-growling and thrash-style. Not only will fans of Testament
and Judas Priest be impressed, fans across the metal spectrum will
drown in their excellent guitar harmonies and heavy aggression. One
second you will have a very catchy Testament-like riff, then you'll
get a groovy solo or acoustic part, then something else, etc, etc....
They change it up enough to make things interesting. Professional
is an understatement with Havochate. The musicianship is top-notch
and even more notable, nothing is sloppy. A good production, good
mixture of songs & lengths, excellent breaks and choruses, and
even some good artwork with their album inlay (nice photo-glossy finish!).
I would say my favs. are "Fiction" and "Speak No More".
Both songs have all that I mentioned. Diversity, technicality, aggression,
harmonies, whatever you'd want to hear! Worth a listen, especially
for those into Priest, Iced Earth, Testament, Nevermore, and Stratovarious!! Rating: 84 Reviewed By: Thomas Mitchell |
