Artist: God Dethroned
Label: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: 1/25/05
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Title: Lair of the White Worm Artist: God Dethroned Label: Metal Blade Records Release Date: 1/25/05 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
Named after a movie that confused the piss out of me (and previously a story by Stoker), God Dethroned's new album breaks in a new lineup without changing up their sound all that much. In past reviews I've expressed my disappointment with this band since their 1997 Metal Blade debut, labeling them a band that never lived up to their potential, and I maintain my assessment here.Of course, I'll be the first to admit that this band stands solidly in the middle tier of death metal, which is in no way a bad place to be. It is for this reason that this band has carved its own little niche, attracting a certain degree of loyalty from its selected fan base that I've never really understood. While somewhat ignored by most of the metal community on these shores, the people I know who are into this band really like them.
"One word review: Okay." And I'm sure that their loyal fans will remain loyal, and I will continue to be underwhelmed. God Dethroned's formula remains the same, although they have added a bit more of the melodic element that was introduced on their last album. And while this helps the listener distinguish the songs from one another, it still does little to quell my problems with this act. This album may be a little more accessible, but it's still lackluster. Upon hearing The Grand Grimoire years ago, I was dually impressed by the band's enticing songwriting and unique take on a black/death sound. And while the band still has a uniqueness that I have to admire, the songwriting, in my opinion, has gone flat. Not bad, mind you, just flat. Sophomoric lyrics don't help much either, as well as titles like "Sigma Enigma."
There is a solid improvement for the band, however, in new guitarist Isaac Lielahaye, or at least I'm attributing it to him. The solos on this album are great. They are composed with an exemplary feel for the song as a whole, and are an example of what more extreme bands should strive for when it comes to leads. If there was equal craft applied to the meat of the songs, this band would grow in leaps and bounds. Added a skull for the solos. One word review: Okay.
Death's Review:
Are you loyal to the crown of God Dethroned? God Dethroned return with another platter of technical, accomplished, well-produced, downtuned brutal death. Absolutely extreme, yet professionally delivered, The Lair of the White Worm (the title is based on Bram Stoker's book of the same name) is well-conceived and well-produced, leaving the listener with a quality brutal experience that is probably a notch more advanced than the band's prior outings. Stylistically, God Dethroned are strict purveyors of a certain cross-section of Scandinavian death metal, a cross between the melodic guitars of Arch Enemy (yes, the lead quotient has been increased with the addition of new guitarist Isaac Delahaye), the downtuned guitars of Bloodbath, and the defiant attitude of Amon Amarth. My favorite parts are when the band really locks into a groove, like they do just past the 1:30 mark on the title track. I also really dig the slow and heavy riff that segues into the traditional style melodic lead that opens up the next track "Rusty Nails." Throughout the album, the lyrics are brutal yet discernable, and they are printed in the accompanying booklet which helps the listener to absorb them and become enveloped in the proceedings. All in all, this is an exciting and high-quality release. Nothing that hasn't been achieved before, but still, this is good stuff that should get noticed.
"Nothing that hasn't been achieved before, but still, this is good stuff that should get noticed."
Hel's Review:
"With each album they come closer and closer to perfecting the art of the irresistibly catchy death metal song." God Dethroned has become a somewhat unique animal in the death metal world. With each album they come closer and closer to perfecting the art of the irresistibly catchy death metal song. After a few listens to The Lair of the White Worm, a person cannot help but start singing along. At this point, nearly every single song seems to have some hooky line that you absolutely must sing every time you hear it. No other band, at least none that I can think of off the top of my head, has been able to do this so consistently.
This is truly what elevates this album above the morass of other, similar bands. Other bands may be able to write similar songs, but I don’t find myself compulsively singing along with every one of them like I do with God Dethroned. I have a strong recollection that Into the Lungs of Hell had a similar effect on me – in fact, I can’t even type the title without the chorus from the title track screaming through my brain and it’s been nearly two years since I last listened to the album.
I have come to look forward to the release of a new God Dethroned album, and Lair of the White Worm has not disappointed me. If you have a craving for some toe-tapping mid-paced death with killer solos that you can sing along to, then boy-oh-by is this record for you.
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