Artist: God Dethroned
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: 3/25/03
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Title: Into the Lungs of Hell Artist: God Dethroned Label: Metal Blade Release Date: 3/25/03 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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4 | ||
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4 | ||
| Sabbath's Review | 5 | ||
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Does Megadeth know they stole their title for this album? Probably not, I have a feeling that Dave and Co. aren't all that up to date on the independent metal scene. -cough- Crush 'Em -cough-. Excuse me. Anyhoo, these Danish blasphemers... or is it Dutch? Ah who cares? I'm American, we don't care about geography. These dudes from the Netherlands (Would calling them Netherlanders or Netherlandians be that hard? Actually, I guess it might be with a few drinks in ya.) have been around for a while now and have come out with another quality, if not spectacular release.
"I definitely like this band and their sound; I just get much more excited over a lot of other stuff out there." I feel like I'm the only one of this opinion, but I was first acquainted with these guys when I picked up The Grand Grimoire and I think they still have yet to surpass that record. I know most people disagree with me, but up until that point I had never thought a band could be that polished production wise, brutally heavy, and accessible at the same time. The songs were catchy as all hell, but so thick was the production that it felt like it was in a genre all its own.
Into the Lungs of Hell is more of the groove laden mid-paced death metal we've come to expect from these guys, and it is relatively successful at that. It's very accessible and doesn't require that much of a commitment to appreciate, but at the same time, it's not doing anything that is overly interesting either. Not that it really has to. I definitely like this band and their sound; I just get much more excited over a lot of other stuff out there. I don't have a copy of the lyrics, so I'm not sure that I'm hearing everything correctly, but some of the choruses strike me as pretty cheesy. But then again, I find most Satanic imagery a little silly, but always welcome. If there's one area in which this band stands out it is in Henri's vocal cadence that hits somewhere in between Six Feet Under and Morbid Angel in rhythm. It makes each song instantly fun to jam to, although long lasting enthrallment is harder to come by.
"I do feel it comes up a bit short when compared to their last few." In short, if you've been a fan of this band in the past, you will most likely get a good deal out of this album - I do feel it comes up a bit short when compared to their last few. One word review: Capable.
Death's Review:
Technically formed as far back as 1991 (the first Metal Blade release, The Grand Grimoire dropped in 1997), God Dethroned return with their fourth Metal Blade release in 2003, Into the Lungs of Hell: an aggressive, well-produced death metal assault that kicks serious ass. No, the opening title track isn't a cover of the old Megadeth instrumental, instead it is a Stockholm style downtuned blunt weapon of a riff machine featuring killer death style vocals and accomplished drumming in service of this aural assault and battery. Vocalist/guitarist Henri Sattler's thrash metal roots shine through here with thick, bludgeoning groove riffs often interrupting the pure, unadulterated chaos (just listen to "Warcult" and try not to bang your head). Some of the lyrics were influenced by thoughts of terrorism committed in alleged service of religion, manifested most notably in songs like "Soul Sweeper" and "Gods of Terror." Tracks like "The Tombstone" are lyrically a touch sillier: "Lifting the tombstone; And what do you see?; Lifting the tombstone; A skeleton waiting to be free."
"Just listen to 'Warcult' and try not to bang your head."
Anyway, the music had that aggressive, well-produced yet raw while ripping your fucking head off vibe I get from the new Amon Amarth record; understated yet thrashy and brutal. I like it.
"Understated yet thrashy and brutal. I like it."
Hel's Review:
According to the packaging that came with this disc, there is apparently a second disc included when you go buy it in the store. While I appreciate the full packaging that arrived with the single disc that came to Metal Judgment, it's still disconcerting to know that I'm missing out. So, while I clearly cannot address disc 2, which appears to contain some re-recorded songs, live recordings of other songs, and a couple of video clips, it certainly sounds cool.
"Into the Lungs of Hell is well executed, and nicely produced." I have no other choice at this point than to swing my full attention toward the only disc included in my package, which is the main attraction in any case. After careful consideration, I must say that Into the Lungs of Hell is more or less what I expected from God Dethroned. If you've enjoyed their previous efforts, I cannot imagine that this one will cause you to think differently of the band.
"God Dethroned is solid, enjoyable death metal." Overall, Into the Lungs of Hell is well executed, and nicely produced. The vocals are wonderfully understandable, from my perspective anyway, and I have had fun attempting to shout along, though my vocal cords certainly haven't appreciated my efforts. One of these days I'll figure out people manage to do it without sustaining permanent damage, but apparently, today is not that day.
Death metal snobs may peer down their noses at this one, but unless you have similar extraordinarily rigid standards of uniqueness that must be met in order for you to enjoy an album, then you can just ignore those naysayers. God Dethroned is solid, enjoyable death metal. And Into the Lungs of Hell is just an awesome title, isn't it?
Sabbath's Review:
God Dethroned are the Extreme Metal veterans when discussing "True Metal." I have followed, loved, and enthusiastically listened to God Dethroned for over 6 years now, and their accomplishments throughout their long history in this scene have been astounding. I first heard them when I picked up The Grand Grimoire, and I instantly fell in love with their immaculate structure of epic proportions, and their use of melodic riffs. I was completely entranced by "Under a Silver Moon" and "The Somberness of Winter," and to this day those songs reestablish memories of what God Dethroned first implanted into my Metal lifestyle.
"Into the Lungs of Hell was highly anticipated, and it satisfied my famished craving for them to the fullest."
"This album is blasphemous like no other; it will positively be on my top 10 of 2003 come the end of this year." Their progression throughout the past decade from album to album has varied slightly, but has remained subtle. Their professional touch and presentation has not faded, which I admire most about them. Bloody Blasphemy was a nine hit wonder. Every song on that album was classic, and it brought God Dethroned to a newly developed level after The Grand Grimoire. Ravenous was another stunning release that came out of 2001. Needless to say, Into the Lungs of Hell was highly anticipated, and it satisfied my famished craving for them to the fullest. 8 superb tracks, with a malicious balance of mid to fast tempos, heavy riffs, and a tune of B which is very fitting to the mid-tempo riffing in the songs presented on this album. This is all topped off with the familiar sound of Henri's tantalizing, bottomless-guttural vocals. God Dethroned recently acquired a new, young drummer by the name of Arien, and he has done a magnificent job of taking Tony Loreano's place (after he sessioned for God D. on Ravenous). He is a very precise, hard hitter and does the job well. Track 1 starts off very mid-tempo with the title track, and picks up a bit. It is a great track to open this album with. Although songs remain at a fairly mid-tempo throughout the entire album, they are wrapped tightly with technicality.
This album is blasphemous like no other; it will positively be on my top 10 of 2003 come the end of this year. Not only is this album great, but also included is a second disc consisting of re-recorded material off of The Grand Grimoire, live tracks from their show at the Whiskey in Hollywood, CA, and 2 video clips. I hope everyone enjoys this release as much as I did, and prepares for a tour shortly!
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