Artist: Crematory
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 9/11/00
Rating: 5 Skulls
|
|
Title: Believe Artist: Crematory Label: Nuclear Blast Release Date: 9/11/00
Rating: 5 Skulls |
|
|
|
||
Submitted by Requiem (1/4/01):
I originally ranked this in my Top Ten of 2000 list, but now reconsidering the fact that I've grown even more into the album, I wish I would have put them as #6. Crematory are one of those fantastic bands that nobody seems to talk about. They were great when I first heard them in '94 and are still amazing as ever. Since then I had heard some negative feedback, which led me to avoid checking out subsequent releases. Six releases later they are sounding just as great as they did in '94, if not better. I guess I've got some catching up to do.Crematory are a German quintet who have been working hard and have released 8 albums since '92. They specialize in the Gothic/Death Metal category and have toured with the likes of My Dying Bride. Musically they are quite unique, being heavier than most of their gothic metal peers, yet still maintain tons of melodic entities throughout. Unlike the past, with the death vocals dominating each album, the recent addition of guitarist Matthias Hechler invites the clean vocal attack. This new element plays a major role on Believe, and it may be exactly what they need to climb to the top.
The album even starts with a worthwhile intro, containing a haunting keyboard segment accompanied by a passage spoken in German. We are then led into 11 tracks that have minimal flaws by these ears. Most of the tracks are very upbeat in nature yet have an incredibly heavy feel due to the way this band approaches their songs. Every instrument pulls the same amount of force in each song which is not always common with bands that utilize keyboards in their sound. And it all blends so nicely together. Crematory use a lot of fairly simplistic, yet heavy and effective riffs and let the keyboards tackle the intricate interludes putting the icing on the cake. The keyboards are played in a very effective manner, and are not just providing "atmosphere". At times, they have slight techno or new age qualities to them without turning the song into the next Top 40 dance hit. The drums lock into the perfect groove for one section and just pummel you the next with a furious double bass attack.
The whole album is blessed with monumental quality from the production to the amazing song writing skills of all involved. "The Fallen" is probably my favorite track, which has clean vocals throughout the whole track, with the death vocals coming in for emphasis on the chorus. This song is worth the CD alone, for the amazing vocals and keyboard performance. "Caroline" is another excellent track with a very memorable piano riff which reminds me a bit of Robert Miles. It also contains some more great vocal performances as well as heaviness that is sure to put our fellow metal warriors in neck braces for sure. Other noteworthy tracks include "Why" and the album closer "Perils of the Wind," which is a extremely mellow track comprised only of keyboards and vocals. This track winds down the album nicely and is a beautiful song.
I can go on and on about how good this is. If you are into melodic metal that has heavy elements mixed in, clean vox and keyboards played to perfection, you just may have to give this a try. These guys (and gal) were good when I first heard them 5 years ago and they still do not cease to amaze me. I won't be giving many bands a perfect score, so take note that this is a rocker. Do yourself a favor and pick this up... please.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.