“Declarations of Secession” is Overthrone’s
first studio album after a few demos, and it’s quite a surprise for
a self-financed, debut disc. Maybe even more so than you would think at
first. Two brothers, Toby and Nathan Nickels comprise the band. Toby does
drums, vocals, and synths. Nathan plays all guitars. It’s hard to
believe this band is only two people. Overthrone plays symphonic black metal
with death and thrash components. Some riffs are akin to Dimmu Borgir, Dissection
or Emperor. I like the melodic riffs quite a bit. The layered dynamics are
good, with inspiring leads and some acoustic parts. Nice tempo changes from
up-tempo to mid or even a few select unhurried measures. Vocals are pretty
much what one would expect from this genre with black metal screams and
growls and even a majestic, gothic vocal thrown as a variant. The atmospheric
keys increase the quality of many parts and work well to create an aura
for each track. The eight songs and over an hour of extreme gloom are quality
through and through and with half the tracks over eight minutes (longest
is the last track clocking in at 12:27) they are assured of turning some
heads. The highlight of the disc is “Gods and Beast,” simply
due to the way it’s written. You would have to hear it to understand
why. Since the completion of “Declarations of Secession,” the
brothers are planning to complete a lineup for stage performances. With
tracks like the aforementioned, Overthrone will be a band to keep a blackened
eye on or a bleeding ear listening for what’s next.
Rating: 80
Reviewed By: Jeffrey D. Adkins |
