CORAM LETHE comes from beautiful Italy and, yes, they have nothing to do with Holywood/Epic/Symphonic/Smurfs-all-together-in-the-chorus/Power Metal! In difference from many of their compatriots, they decided to unleash some pure Death fucking Metal!
The band was formed back in 2000 and this is their 3rd release. While their previous duo suffered from mediocrity, a tribute more to the sound of AT THE GATES and with a rather indifferent vocalist, this one has more personality and passion.
First of all, their choice to give the microphone job to the one and only Erica Puddu was a hell of a decision! If you are fans of ARCH ENEMY check Erica first and then start talking about Angela! In fact Erica -evil Chuck lives in me-Puddy gives a great kick in the butt to all the male wannabe Death vocalists!
Since Chuck Schuldiner's sad death, I never expected to hear again those insane high tone screaming vocals. She is not a copy though. Not in any way. From track to track she differs, changing her style, and also adds some deep growls with such ease that makes me wonder!
If we want to describe their music we could say that they are a mixture of DEATH (Symbolic era), CARCASS (Heartworks era), ATHEIST, CYNIC, PESTILENCE and AT THE GATES!
From all of the above you can understand that we are talking about a technical/melodic Death Metal band. So if you are fans of this style you SHOULD listen to this, with no hesitation. I mean how many bands can write songs like Mystical Pentagram (definitely my favourite, please make a video for this one!) or The Gift Of Providence?
The band has no fear to explore through their own boundaries sound almost epic (don't get this wrong) at tracks like the 7-minute long Passione Della Carne. All of the members seem to be in great form. I liked very much the work on the leads and the bass lines (Federico Stiaccini you rule!).
My only disagreement with the whole effort is the production (and the melodic guitar lines). Reminds me a lot of the production of DEATH's Symbolic LP though. Adding to this the vocals of Erica, it would be sad to mistake this band as a DEATH copywrite. Also a less artistic cover should be better next time.
I really hope they will work on this in the future as I strongly believe they deserve a lot of your attention.
This chaos was splendid indeed...Evil Chuck stares in Metal heaven and smiles...