Necrosmose
Armageddon Death Squad
What are the features that separate BLACK SABBATH, the founders of Metal as the fans know, from IRON MAIDEN? Both are bands of traditional Heavy Metal, aren't they? The specific feature is simple: personality. IRON MAIDEN didn't create traditional Heavy Metal, but its members found a personal way of making music themselves. This is what a separates winners from clones. And although the French quartet ARMAGEDDON DEATH SQUAD shows talent on their first album, "Necrosmose", they need to improve a bit more.
Their musical work is a traditional model of Death Metal inspired by names as MORBID ANGEL, CANNIBAL CORPSE and other names from Floridian scene, with a better technical insight and using rhythms that aren't extremely fast (but don't worry, there are some fast moments on this album). But this formula was already used too many times that the listener will have the clear idea of hearing a recollection of pieces of some musical works in a seemingly musical Frankenstein monster. Not bad at all, but isn't good as it could be. On the production, all is fine. The sound quality of "Necrosmose" is very good due the use of a cleaner insight, having in mind that the fan must understand what is being played by the band. But the brutality and putrid rotten filthy of 90's Death Metal is presented due the low tunes of the musical instruments.
They're truly good, but their music rests on musical models that are already exhausted. Maybe their contribution could be a new insight, but for now, they're just one more Death Metal band following the path of the giants, as can be heard on songs as "Demons", "Annihilation" and "Dust and Blood" (good changes between fast parts with some well worked moments on both songs), the catchy guitar riffs shown on "A Last Sacrifice" (besides they're sounding a bit cliché on this song) and on "Dead Cold Planet" (very good technical work on the six strings attacks), the technical oppressive work from bass guitar and drums shown on "Skeleton Satellite", and on the bitter feeling that exhales from "Requiem". They have enough talent to go further, and not to be just one more band.
It's not a bad release, but "Necrosmose" shows that ARMAGEDDON DEATH SQUAD must evolve. It's a matter of time, rehearsals and shows.
7 / 10
Good
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Necrosmose" Track-listing:
1. Demons
2. Annihilation
3. Dust and Blood
4. A Last Sacrifice
5. One More Explosion
6. Mask of the Dead Witch
7. Dead Cold Planet
8. Necrosmose
9. Skeleton Satellite
10. Whispers of Supernova
11. Requiem
12. Guttural Romance
13. The Comet
Armageddon Death Squad Lineup:
S****** B***** - Vocals, Guitars
Alexis - Guitars
Georges Barthod-Malat - Bass
Alain - Drums
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