Artist: The Forsaken
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 7/23/02
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Title: Arts of Desolation Artist: The Forsaken Label: Century Media Release Date: 7/23/02 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Well, I guess it just had to happen. I was a big fan of this band's debut, Manifest of Hate, primarily because it seemed to buck the trend of ultra catchy Swedish death metal, and continued with the more breakneck-paced Swedish death of the mid nineties. Their sophomore effort sees them drifting to the more commercial side of the genre, however, which I must say I find disappointing. But I guess that's what the people want.
"Their sophomore effort sees them drifting to the more commercial side of the genre, however, which I must say I find disappointing. But I guess that's what the people want." Don't get me wrong, this album is quite good. The band's ability to dress up 80s thrash and make it sound like melodic death metal is impressive, and my disappointment comes mostly from the fact that the reason I liked their last album so much was because I thought it made an effort to remain a little more rhythm oriented. I guess I long for the days when Swedish death metal still had a couple of blast beats thrown in.
Disappointment aside, the rock 'n roll soloing and frequent time changes keep this album interesting from start to finish, and for that these guys deserve a lot of credit. The dueling vocals remain as venomous as ever, and when these guys hit their groove they can hang with the best of them. Lead track, "Incubator" gets things started on the right foot, and with the exception of a few filler tracks, the album really never let's you down. Even the 'bonus' track "Human Prey" rounds out the record nicely, maintaining catchiness but avoiding the diluted sing songing of Soilwork's latest release.
"I'm not really complaining, as I really dig this type of music, but there is a difference between being really good and being really groundbreaking." The biggest drawback to this album is that it is going in the same direction that every other band is going. I think all of us in the metal world are waiting for the "next big sound" and this isn't it. I'm not really complaining, as I really dig this type of music, but there is a difference between being really good and being really groundbreaking. I'm sure I'll spend a lot more time with this album, it is that good, but if you asked me if I was excited about it, I would have to say no. One word review: Great.
Death's Review:
More quality thrashy Swedish death metal! Just what the world needs, right? Best to forget about worrying too much about that, and take to just enjoying The Forsaken's brand of thrashy and intricate riffing found on their new album, Arts of Desolation, the worthy successor to their Manifest of Hate debut. After losing bassist Michael Hakansson to Evergrey, The Forsaken return to Abyss studio once again on the watch of Tommy Tagtgren and have produced another more than simply serviceable slab of Swedish death-thrash that is well executed, well-produced, and which even shows ample understanding of and respect for the 1980's Bay Area thrashers at points. The fact that some of the riffs and guitar interplay found here might not have been too foreign if heard on past classic efforts by Forbidden, Violence or TestamentTestament or perhaps even on non-Bay Area contemporary King Diamond's Them should send a message about what kind of impact The Forsaken are truly capable of. Of course, in actuality, The Forsaken have much more in common with bands of today like Carnal Forge, Witchery, Arch Enemy, The Haunted, In Flames, but the balance of influences both old an new is what adds the subtlely different spice to their particular metallic mixture.
"The Forsaken have produced another more than simply serviceable slab of Swedish death-thrash that is well executed and well-produced." Bottom line? Well-executed melodic and thrashy death with serious all-death metal vocalist. Helpful to my appreciation of The Forsaken is the fact that they are relatively young in their life cycle, meaning we are treated to rawer, more aggressive material than one might expect to hear from many of their Swedish peers. In short, Arts of Desolation is an excellent example of well-balanced brutality and musicality, once again coming from the ever fertile Scandinavian shores. You know if this one is for you.
Hel's Review:
"A single listen to this record will leave you shaken and wondering where this maelstrom of death metal came from." My memory of Manifest of Hate has grown hazy at this point, but I know that I enjoyed it very much. So while I lack the perspicacity to form intelligent comparisons between these two albums, I can state with total certainty that both are quality works of death metal brutality.
Throughout the entirety of Arts of Desolation, The Forsaken maintains an extremely high standard of musical excellence. Each performance is individually mind-blowing, and the perfect production brings it all together. A single listen to this record will leave you shaken and wondering where this maelstrom of death metal came from.
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