Artist: The Haunted
Label: Earache Records
Release Date: 2/17/03
|
|
Title: One Kill Wonder Artist: The Haunted Label: Earache Records Release Date: 2/17/03 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
5 | ||
|
5 | ||
|
5 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
I'm suing them for assault, cause The Haunted just kicked my ass. I've always been a Haunted fan, but they've never been a band I felt the need to overly praise. I like what they do, I listen to them every once in awhile, but they always seemed more important for what they were than what they actually are. Those days are now behind them. One Kill Wonder buries their previous albums. Simply put, this is their best album to date, and it is a blistering thrashfest that brings back a frantic desperation to melodic metal.
"Simply put, this is their best album to date, and it is a blistering thrashfest that brings back a frantic desperation to melodic metal." The album opens with "Seasons in the Abyss" as an intro, but quickly - oops, did I say "Seasons in the Abyss"? I'm sorry, that's a Slayer song. I meant to say that the album opens up with "Privation of Faith Inc." I don't know why I said "Seasons in the Abyss".... Oh yeah... now I remember, it's because it sounds just like "Seasons...". How they though no one would notice, I have no idea. This little defenseless rip off aside, the album rips into you and never lets up.
This album is a just a blender full of riffs each more impressive than the last. Each song comes on with such power and craftsmanship; you end up just assuming it's the best on the album. Of course, you quickly realize that you begin saying that each time a new track comes on. It has been years since I've heard such an unrelenting album that had so much passion.
"Despite some of the dizzying velocities on display, the album still sounds thick, thick as a McDonald's milkshake on a cold winter day." Despite some of the dizzying velocities on display, the album still sounds thick, thick as a McDonald's milkshake on a cold winter day. Fans of this band will be happy that they haven't changed their sound all that much, they just made it sound more driven. The album reeks of purpose, and that purpose is to pummel you with riff upon riff, groove upon groove, and scream upon scream, until you submit to the onslaught. And submit you will.
Production is crisp and brilliant, and the listener has the privilege of being able to hear each and every component of the band. It's heartening to hear an album that a band obviously put their heart and soul into, and have it come out this successful. The weakest part of the album is its title, which I guess describes a lucky but untalented serial killer. One word review: Unrelenting.
Death's Review:
Total, complete and utter Slayer worship is on display on this new Haunted record. The opening track, "Privation of Faith Inc.," makes me think both "Seasons in the Abyss," and "Raining Blood" within the span of a few short riffs. Track two, "Godpuppet," brings to mind "Chemical Warfare" and "Live Undead". Believe me, though - these comparisons are compliments. One Kill Wonder fucking smokes.
"One Kill Wonder fucking smokes."
It took me a couple of listens to get to this point. The guitar sound (Fredrik Nordstrom produced this one) is mixed in a way that doesn't completely crush you like I'd like. But I guess that's nitpicking. The mix is clear and began to sound great once I focused more. Simply stated, The Haunted kick ass. Kerry King-style guitar wailing combined with cool riffs and deathcore vocals are the order of the day. In fact, let me say now that, if you are a Haunted fan, this is probably exactly what you want to hear: a totally metal thrash album that sounds relevant to the teenagers of the new millennium. MTV's Ian Robinson and his legions of disciples are going to love One Kill Wonder, but the underground thrash legions should love it too - it really is that kind of record.
"If they're not there already, this should be the album that catapults The Haunted to true 'underground headliner' status." So if they're not there already, this should be the album that catapults The Haunted to true "underground headliner" status (although they did headline that tour with Witchery last time around) in the U.S. This is exactly the album The Haunted needed to make. With the right touring plans, this one should be making noise throughout 2003, and I fully expect One Kill Wonder to show up on some of the year-end polls. Sure, it's early, but I promise you somebody is going to call this one the best album of 2003 when all is said and done. Regardless of whether or not you decide you love it that much, if you loved The Haunted before you will be psyched with this record. Here's betting a few new fans jump on the bandwagon too.
Hel's Review:
The Haunted is one of those bands that I've loved from the moment I first laid ears upon them. I remember Famine being incredibly excited about their first album, and when we all got together for a metal festival (I can't remember which one at the moment) back in 1998 or 1999, he played it for us. By the time I left the festival, I was the proud owner of a copy of The Haunted's self-titled first release.
"The Haunted remain what they have been from day one - a good, old-fashioned thrash band."
"One Kill Wonder packs a wallop and should be checked out by all metal fans." I put that album back into my player weekend, after I had listened to One Kill Wonder a few times. My intent was to determine if there had been any substantial changes in their sound between the first release and this, the third. Changes? Sure, but substantial changes? No way. The Haunted remain what they have been from day one - a good, old-fashioned thrash band. Heck, if anything, they've gotten even better.
The musicianship remains phenomenal, and is the lynchpin of the band. The songs are solidly written, and each has its own infectious riff that keeps your head bobbing from beginning to end. I can safely say that if you enjoyed the first two, then you will need a complete set. My only real complaint with this record is that it is too short - at just over 38 minutes long, it has the dubious distinction of being the shortest album to pass through my player since my hard drive (and with it, my way of keeping track of these random things) was wiped out at the beginning of last October. But despite its brevity, One Kill Wonder packs a wallop, and should be checked out by all metal fans.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.