|
'AUGUST 2004' 01.
When Venus Sends a Black Rose
Length: 10:57 (min:secs)
tom@i-def-i.com
Previous i-(DEF)-i Reviews:
|
Recorded at Trinity Heights, Newcastle upon Tyne during August 2004, this is a taste of the latest from this exciting Manchester based rock band in the guise of a two track sampler. Having missed out on their “Fake Smiles and Lullabies” EP from last year, for this webzine it was the first new i-(DEF)-i material since their superb demo in 2002. From the outset things kicks off with an intense barrage of molten metal riffage and thundering rhythms at a bruising pace, showing intent to cut, slash, tear and hurt. “When Venus Sends a Black Rose” hits out like a tormented beast, generating a powerful torrent of destructive emotion, which rests only briefly for a melody steeped chorus that fleetingly turns the anger to appease. “Frailty” initially thumps out with venom but soon transforms into an eloquent revelation of song dexterity that has a backcloth of great melodies and weaving harmonies, but which expertly maintains the power and strength of something immensely heavy. It is amazingly complete; it even has an awesome hook in the chorus! Taking choice elements from the classics, skimming the cream from hard rock and melding with elements that are contemporary, it pours out into an invigoratingly classy, fresh and moving statement of how to mix stunning melody with hideous aggression. These are excellently balanced, outstandingly crafted songs that offer a tune along with that aggression. It’s VERY heavy rock, it’s metal and it has incredibly good vocals. It would be immense to hear the band further exploit such an excellent voice as sometimes the beautiful qualities seem to be under utilised. The shouting/screaming is strong and is required to give depth, but if only they could find it in them to make just a little more of this bloody good vocalist - as he’s a comparative rarity in modern rock! Maybe if that's possible, maybe it might just enable them to step up another level from an already extremely high standard, while continuing to establish a sound that sets them apart from all the others...
12345678910
- Rigsby
(15th October, 2004) |
