If you don't have any recollections of FATAL EMBRACE's works, don't be fooled that this is a Black/Thrash band, because it is not. FATAL EMBRACE is a true follower of the old school Thrash, on its rather mid 80's raw version. The time when SLAYER where flying with "Reign In Blood", SODOM with "Possessed By Cruelty", METALLICA with "Master Of Puppets"and TESTAMENT with "Legacy". Those examples and others on the list, along with a black kind of attitude, define FATAL EMBRACE's release. With no exception to what once was in the past, the same goes for their new album, "The Empires Of Inhumanity".

Taking their lead and being inspired by the mid 80's, FATAL EMBRACE did good by recreating the same excitement of the enjoyment out of a old school album. With destructive outcomes as "Haunting Metal", "Wake The Dead" and their first class "Empires Of Inhumanity", old school rules the night without modern elements. Judging by those tracks, and others, it seems that American Thrash has taken its toll on the band. It looks like FATAL EMBRACE is huge fans of SLAYER. It shows up on the typical Slayer-ish rhythms, even on the sound production. With those there are killing solos and almost similar vocal pattern. In general, "The Empires Of Inhumanity" is evil, tough and a good kicker to jump on into a bloody mosh-pit.

However, "The Empires Of Inhumanity" doesn't always place FATAL EMBRACE as a high level creative figure. Their efforts on recreating the thrill of the 80's are well accorded and praised. Nevertheless, their writing skills of original material lack on several areas. It seems that FATAL EMBRACE intensified their appreciation for their influences by somewhat coping some of the riffages and their auras. The best example would be the second track "Wake The Dead". Overall, it is a good track. Nonetheless, it's main riff is an extremely close version to "Beneath The Remains" by SEPULTURA. After listening to it, some will certainly ask themselves "What gives?" or "wow this is too damn familiar". The question is, will it bother that much to cast this release aside, because this is not the only example.There are other cases, although on a lesser scale, yet quite recognizable as they are amazingly similar to other old artists. There is a thin line between renewing or remaking to copying or ripping off, whether it is intentionally or not. Whether it was on purpose or not, it is hard not to notice.

On the other hand, copying or not, FATAL EMBRACE produced a good album and maybe someday their experience will derive a flash of originality onto their writings. The main significances of their album is their rawness, simplicity, and their way on attempting to make another mid 80's classic.

I believe that FATAL EMBRACE has enough influence to go by and they can make something that one day it would be a similar inspiring result as "Reign In Blood". The production style is already there, all needed is an open mind and new templates to write new tunes on.

Highlights: "Empires Of Inhumanity", "Wake The Dead", "Haunting Metal", "The Empires Of Inhumanity", "Another Rotten Life", "Way To Immortality".