Artist: The Chasm
Label: Wicked World
Release Date: 11/16/04
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Title: The Spell of Retribution Artist: The Chasm Label: Wicked World Release Date: 11/16/04 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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4 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
The Chasm have been the darlings of the underground for some time now, and I must admit, I've always had a soft spot for them. The Spell of Retribution is their first album for Wicked World, and I predict it will placate their fanbase, and hopefully spread the word to those who've not yet experienced this band.
"One word review: Killer."
The Chasm aren't for everyone. They play a black/death mixture of metal that can be quite technical or quite simple, but is almost always raw. And while the production is adequate by my ears, it is far from slick, which will turn off a great deal of the metal audience. The band has an old-school vibe, and throws in a bit of a thrash influence (structurally, the intro continuously reminds me of old Megadeth), and the band has done a remarkable job of carving out their own identity. On first listen they may sound like a hundred other bands, but once you get acquainted with them, you will realize how unique they are.
They are seemingly completely uninterested in producing 'catchy', bouncing rhythms, and instead make their mark by using atmosphere, interesting structures and haunting leads. They can change up their speeds, but seem most in their element during the dirgey slow parts or the mid paced stuff, because these are the areas in which the subtle intricacies become most evident.
This band is an acquired taste, but fans of stripped-down, interesting metal will definitely get their money's worth. I've been a fan for a long time, and The Chasm continue to deliver. One word review: Killer.
Death's Review:
The Chasm return with an interesting and at times classic-level traditional death metal album that is as about as "true" as one can get while still remaining original, complex and brutal. Right from the start of the album, the guitar work is intricate and the riffs are really heavy throughout the opening instrumental. In many ways this is one of the more underrated bands in the scene today. Sure, nothing in particular stands out as especially over-the-top awesome so much as it is the combination of the songwriting the style and the production that all coalesce in truly brilliant fashion. The reverb-heavy cookie monster vocals are the weakest link, unfortunately. There are some passionate screams and some interesting drama amidst the chaos that match the balls-out level of intensity put forth in some of the fastest and thrashiest riffs, but all in all, the music outshines the vocals. The songs themselves are just so perfectly balanced between raw and fast and precision and neck-snapping that the end result is a very cool album. I totally recommend this for fans of old Slayer and old Sepultura who also like brutal death metal. There's nothing groundbreaking here, and the album can get kind of repetitive in feel toward the latter tracks, but all in all, this is an above-average release from an under-appreciated veteran act. Definitely worth your time if you are in any way so-inclined.
"Definitely worth your time if you are in any way so-inclined."
Hel's Review:
My initial exposure to The Chasm was many years ago at a March Metal Meltdown in New Jersey. They made a strong impression on me at the time, but for whatever reason, I never followed up, and so this marks the very first time I have actually spent time with an album from The Chasm. The good impression they made upon me years ago remains, and is reinforced by The Spell of Retribution.
"This is the kind of album that makes you itch to see the band perform the material live." The band plays a technical form of blacked death with strong emphasis on riffs and guitar solos. This is the kind of album that makes you itch to see the band perform the material live. Over the course of the album, the songs span a variety of tempos and moods, always deftly hitting their mark and creating a compelling listening experience. I have spun The Spell several times at this point and find that I am still discovering all of its nuances.
Not only am I still discovering all this record has to offer, I also find that it continues to grow on me with every listen. There can be no doubt that I am under The Chasm's Spell (heh) and that I will be revisiting it again in the future. Give yourself the opportunity to fall under their Spell (sorry, couldn't resist) as well.
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