ALBUM REVIEW: Back From Hell – Caliban
The trope of German efficiency is one as old as time, yet as with all tropes, there’s some truth in it. Approaching nearly thirty years of being a band, few musical acts can lay claim to a discography as regular and as consistent as metalcore act CALIBAN. On their fourteenth studio record (Not counting a smattering of EP’s) the band sit neatly in the furrow they’ve ploughed for themselves, one of a steady evolution (Yet crucially, not revolution) in sound and an embracing of trends. Never ones to lean too far into one era of sound, their sonic peak was in the early and late noughties, with the last truly great record being I Am Nemesis in 2012.
With their longtime bassist of nearly 20 years Marco Schaller leaving the band last year, his shoes are filled by Iain Duncan, who also lent his soaring voice and songwriting skills to proceedings for an element of the bands sound that although not stale, is better for the refresh in personnel. A testament to Iain‘s voice is that he has taken over from longtime vocalist Denis Schmidt, though Denis still remains on guitar and judging from some of the riffs on this record, the vocal pressure being eased off has done wonder for him.
Back From Hell positions itself as a very personal record for the band with lashings of catharsis and struggle imbued in the songs, with some of Andreas Dorners best and most passionate vocals and catharsis laden lyrics to date, though that doesn’t always translate into memorable tracks.
Opener ‘Resurgance‘ begins proceedings dramatically enough with some electronics before it flows into Guilt Trip, which features an appearance from MENTAL CRUELTY. It’s a perfect encapsulation of where the band sit. Above average, bruising metalcore interspersed with some admittedly impressive melodic vocals by Iain Duncan and a neck twisting breakdown. The stomping I Was A Happy Kid Once follows, winning the award for the most self-pitying song title of the decade award. Lyrical content and message aside, the title itself is more than a little saccharine and something you expect to be said by an emo Shadow The Hedgehog drawing on deviantart in 2009 rather than a seasoned metal musician.
The highlight comes just before halfway, with Dear Suffering‘s guest vocal performance from Joe Bad (FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY) being incredibly satisfying and working well with Andreas for a slightly angular ripper of a track. Songs like Overdrive can’t keep the momentum going however, sounding like a KILLSWITCH ENGAGE B-side and the promising angsty static of Infection leading nowhere interesting.
It’s not to say that anything on this album is bad, it’s just uninspiring and nothing that hasn’t been done better before by many, including CALIBAN themselves. There’s fun moments that will slot into the live setting and become fan favourites but this album is a perfect encapsulation of why CALIBAN themselves have never reached the heights of their peers. No doubt it will be eagerly and ravenously devoured by the die hards but it may leave even those wanting more. The tools are all there, the pieces lay stark and clear and yet have been in front of the Germans for so long but the time may be past for them to make them into something truly defining or even memorable.
Rating: 5/10
Back From Hell is out now via Century Media Records.
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