HAILSTONE, the German Metal band that proudly follow the Swedish death roots, release their blasting debut album "The Greater Counterfeit" near the end of last year, full of energy and much heavier and growl directed technique. Three years after their formation, HAILSTONE delivers the greater counterfeit to the world with astonishing clear production, impacted with traditional Death materials and nice melodic touch celebrating the reappearance of gods of Death Metal from the underworld, the cover of the album looks professional, sophisticated and meaningful artwork suits the main theme perfectly.

True, while listening to this full-length, you will perceive the idea that repetitive work does not contain new elements to be more mellowed unlike the lyrics, cerebrating beneath the lines you find the hidden message: war religion, the rudimentary historical bonds that reflect the fears of the mass or the individual zealot before the destruction of their faith-based world of illusion and the resulting ignorance.

"As Truth Is Sold", the opening instrumental song of the album, is reduced harmonious pleasure by piano preludes for the next aggressive tremolo picking, brutal guitar walls, perfectly used, solos and powerful rhythm section dominate the sound and the brutal organ of vocals "Death Past Due" where the truth is a destructive lie, plus melodic guitar riffs in "Full Bringer", "Epiphany" lives through the last seconds of double bass attacks within the morbid riffs, some acoustic guitar "This Faithful Justice" then hits the wave of melodic leads and the explosive final shines "Adrift". The eponym title, "The Greater Counterfeit", is characterized by strong songwriting, a successful performance alongside with no material weaknesses that mostly fit into a Vietnam War.

Deeply influenced by DISMEMBER and INVOCATION offers a blend of old school Death and modern melodies. It would be more original if they added some variety elements into songs structure. But, it doesn't mean that can't thrill any crowd, like they did it in Austria, you could be next, just listen to "The Greater Counterfeit".