Artist: God Forbid
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 4/17/01
|
|
Title: Determination Artist: God Forbid Label: Century Media Release Date: 4/17/01 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
3 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
God Forbid fall in line with a lot of the angry new metal that’s out there. Part Pantera, part (old) Machine Head, part Shadows Fall, God Forbid do a pretty good job of staking their claim in the realm of newer, accessible metal that seems to be all the rage. There’s enough pent up hostility on this disc to appeal to the hardcore set, but the approach is decidedly metal. And that’s basically what God Forbid does best, they realize what metalheads want to hear, and craft songs around it.
"They realize what metalheads want to hear, and craft songs around it." While their riffs aren’t as catchy as some in the genre, they are all capable and well thought out, if not a little formulaic. They do a beautiful job of mixing higher end melodic riffs with simple, headstrong ones, giving contrast to each song. This in turn is complemented by whispered vocals setting the stage for the angry, pained screams that constitute the bulk of the vocal attack. Add a thick, driving rhythm section and you have an album that, although maybe not someone’s favorite, has something for everything but the most closed-minded of metalheads.
Also in this band’s favor is its honesty. It seems that complex passages are put in when it seems fit, but they also make no excuses for the simpler, more contrived parts of the album. By this I mean they see no problem in putting a break of open E triplets in the middle of a song, if for no other reason than to get your head banging. And because of this, most of the songs on this album seem interchangeable, having very few peaks and valleys, but on the other hand, there aren’t any crappy songs either.
"Something for everything but the most closed-minded of metalheads." This album would stand out a little more if we weren’t currently being inundated with a lot of stuff that is similar, but it’s solid. It may not be the cream of the crop in bands in its peer group, but it’s in the upper tier.
Death's Review:
God Forbid are the next in line to join the ranks at the core of the talented new breed of technical thrash-core that is emerging from the northeastern United States right now. From Gothenberg, MA through the New Jersey metalcore scene to bands like Lamb of God down in Virginia, a new breed of technical and melodic yet abrasive and extreme metal is emerging, and the music - while admittedly, unabashedly metal at every turn when exposed to a careful and informed listen - can be approached from either a metal or hardcore perspective. The shit is really starting to gel, and many of these acts are truly starting to refine the sound.
Next up is New Jersey's God Forbid, who display the proficiency of Testament on The Legacy, the vocal extremities of Pantera crossed with Death, and the slightly raw, hard-core version of In Flames meets Fear Factory meets Forbidden riffing underneath. And the result is outstanding. The band fucking shred and will snap your head right off with each and every listen. There's a lot to like here, for those willing to spend the time.
"The band fucking shred and will snap your head right off with each and every listen." What's more, I can vouch for the band's live proficiency; if memory serves, they've played at several northeast festivals recently and kicked serious ass every time (am I crazy or did they open up with "Among the Living" at a show I saw once?). The band sounds good on record and packs a killer punch in the live arena. The downsides? The individual songs aren't all that catchy, and the extreme-style, post-Anselmo, New Jersey metalcore vocals are a bit overdone these days. But overall, this is quality material. You'll definitely want to be familiar with God Forbid. It truly is an excellent, diverse, and well-executed listen.
Hel's Review:
I stumbled across a band on the second stage at the Mass Metal Fest about a year ago, who were just destroying the room. Astounding power, energy, and intensity was simply radiating from their performance. That band was named God Forbid, and ever since that moment, they have been on my "A" list of bands to see at festivals and opening acts to catch. Each time, they present that same heartfelt, energetic performance, and each time I'm convinced they've got enormous talent.
And the album is no less convincing. It was strange for me to disconnect the live experience from music while listening to this album, but there was no choice involved. The diversity they integrate into their music is more easily dissected at home than in the live setting, so you can clearly hear the death, melodic death, and black metal influences involved, among others. The musicianship is impressive overall and the production on the album is clear. One of the outstanding characteristics of God Forbid's live performance is the sheer power of the drumming, and unfortunately some of that seems to have been lost in the translation to digital format. As a result, I think they're better live, but the take-home version of the game is a hell of a lot of fun too.
"I'm all for supporting the God Forbid arts, and I look forward to seeing them with Nevermore and Opeth in the near future." Let me make this perfectly clear: if you've never heard of God Forbid, you need to - go, get Determination now, if only to hold you over until you can see the real deal live. If you're like me, and have already seen and enjoyed them live, you should still go get this too, you'll get plenty of enjoyable spins from it. I'm all for supporting the God Forbid arts, and I look forward to seeing them with Nevermore and Opeth in the near future. So should you.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.