Artist: The Haunted
Label: Earache
Release Date: 10/23/00
|
|
Title: The Haunted Made Me Do It Artist: The Haunted Label: Earache Release Date: 10/23/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
4 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
5 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Sweden's The Haunted return with their second album, a follow-up to their largely successful self-titled debut. There have been a few line-up changes which seem to have modified the overall sound a bit, but I'm happy to say that this album surpasses its predecessor.
"Despite the death metal screaming, this album is fun to sing along with." First off, there's a new vocalist in the foreground, and gone is the hard-core influenced vocal attack due to the departure of the Mary Beats Jane influence. What we're left with is an album that sounds a little bit closer to its roots (meaning At The Gates), as the guitar melodies seem to remind one of the olden Gothenburg scene, but this has far too many other influences to be considered a part of that scene. The riffs seem ultimately thrash in composition, setting down a groove which directs the song and adds distinction to each (the latter not being a quality I associate with their debut). The riffs switch between aggressive and melodic, and allow for catchy vocals to be layered on top. Despite the death metal screaming, this album is fun to sing along with.
The new vocals are more dynamic than on the first album, as well. Clean vocals are found on the chorus to "Hallowed Ground", something that is becoming more and more common amongst the "Gothenburg" bands (e.g. In Flames, Dark Tranquillity), but unlike those bands, The Haunted have made these passages seem solemn without being overly artsy. This is a metal album through and through, hitting me in much the same way as the first Arch Enemy album, which is probably the band most comparable to these guys, as far as sound goes. "Revelation" is the best example of this that I can think of.
"This is a quality, thorough album that is a perfect example of the ways in which a band (especially a relatively new one) should evolve." This is a quality, thorough album that is a perfect example of the ways in which a band (especially a relatively new one) should evolve. They seem to have held on to the good points of their previous sound, while improving on the weaknesses.
Death's Review:
The new album from the Haunted is not as hardcore sounding as the old one, and that sounds like it has much more to do with the addition of Marco Aro as vocalist than anything else (I remember seeing them opening for Testament and being surprised at how hardcore the old singer looked.) That, and a much sicker overall riff attack that adds more of the geographically expected Gothenberg touch with a thrashier, more layered, yet looser vibe. The album's first two tracks sound like Among the Living -era Anthrax combined with Seasons in the Abyss -era Slayer (come to think of it, Seasons in the Abyss is all over this record - check out the killer mid-sections to "Human Debris" to see what I mean) with more extreme vocals and dash of G.R.I.P., Inc. thrown in to give things a modern vibe. Interested? You should be.
"Last time around they called it AC/DC meets Slayer. Now it's At the Gates meets In Flames. Only one notch below." Made Me Do It is twenty-first century thrash, fast and respectful of the old shit but fueled by a new flame. It absolutely rips your face off with killer melodic thrash, yet never itself approaches the absolute glory of At the Gates, guitarist Anders Bjoler's and bass player Jonas Bjorler's ex-outfit. Still, it is quality material, and proves once again the completeness of the Swedish understanding of metal's late-eighties American thrash roots. A must for anyone who considers themselves a modern thrasher, for you Gothenberg heads who also dig Carcass, Slayer fans who like In Flames, and anyone who digs on Shadows Fall. Last time around they called it AC/DC meets Slayer. Now it's At the Gates meets In Flames. Only one notch below.
Hel's Review:
Now this is a cool album title. "Why did you smoke that, little Jimmy?" "The Haunted made me do it!" "Why did you break that, Sally?" "The Haunted made me do it!" Man, this is hours of fun... And we haven't even gotten to the music yet!
After multiple listens, I find myself really enjoying this album. Much of the material on this disc is precisely the kind of rapid blast beats and harmonic guitars you would expect from its billing. However there are also some surprises and what I like to call "little extras", which are generally momentary effects on various instruments. For example, the "clean" vocal parts found on a couple of songs - these aren't clean at all, but effect laden, non-growled vocals, and the end result is highly diverting.
"After multiple listens, I find myself really enjoying this album." Speaking of which, in addition to the part just mentioned, the new vocalist has a nice grow-ly range. The new drummer is also a good addition, while not overly showy, he is certainly solid. Both are effective additions to the line-up. Finally, I just want to compliment them on the cool guitar tone at the outset of "Dark Intentions" - it has a cool, "haunted" vibe, which fits perfectly. All in all, an outstanding album.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.