ALBUM REVIEW: The Onset of Eternal Darkness – Climate Of Fear

The combination of metal and hardcore has been a tried and tested flavour for a while now. Established in the early ’90s, metalcore has since developed and deepened beyond what most would ever conceive. Branching out, divulging and diversifying even further still over the past decades, the sounds we would consider metalcore now are entirely different to what was originally brought to the masses. CLIMATE OF FEAR are not one such band. They recognise the brutal power in riffs, and also know that a decent melody can amplify the intensity of following passages. On their debut record The Onset Of Eternal Darkness, the new band prove themselves to not only be worthy of the attention of the underground and above, but also to live up to the pedigree of their members.

Following in the footsteps of fellow stable mates NIHILITY and VENOM PRISON, CLIMATE OF FEAR utilise more traditional death metal elements and then sprinkle over their hardcore and beatdown flavourings. Made up of former DESOLATED and COLD HARD TRUTH members, this new band is made up of individuals who understand how to write hard, angry, and violent music. Stuffed into the short two minutes of Storming The Heavens there are riffs, bludgeoning double bass, and rhythmic sections that are guaranteed to incite violence when they kick off live.

CLIMATE OF FEAR show themselves to be expert at creating atmosphere, taking a more dramatic influence from their chosen musical champions like AT THE GATES and ALL OUT WAR. The atmosphere is one of hostility and fear, but it is palpable nonetheless. The ringing lead lines of album opener Rapture start off the album in the best way, before classic death metal riffs take centre stage. There is a clear throwback to older sounds, as the raw recording goes a long way to giving the album character, and a real sense of identity to set them apart. The Onset Of Eternal Darkness benefits even further from a really great sense of pacing, juggling the jarring tempo transitions with ease, something that can be attributed to the balancing act of elements within the members previous bands.

CLIMATE OF FEAR do what they do tremendously well. What they do won’t change the game, given that they are actively looking backwards in time for their musical inspiration. But what The Onset of Eternal Darkness does do incredibly well is giving one of the most recognisable voices in the British underground, Paul Williams, a new lease to prove himself further. The varied vocal performance is one of the best things about this record.

There is a gap to be filled in the British underground since scene kings DESOLATED called it quits. CLIMATE OF FEAR bare the DNA of its members but also carves its own section in the scene thanks to its worship of the bands that genuinely changed the game back at the turn of the millennia. Game changing and pioneering? Certainly not, but a brutal and consistent time that will scratch an itch for many old fans.

Rating: 7/10

The Onset Of Eternal Darkness is out now via Demons Run Amok Entertainment. 

Like CLIMATE OF FEAR on Facebook.