ALBUM REVIEW: The Sound of Steel – Exmortus
LA’s EXMORTUS are certainly one of the most interesting modern thrash bands in the game. Mixing a classic thrash sound with influences from death metal, black metal, power metal and a dominating dose of neo-classical guitar work, their style is unique. Formed in 2002 when frontman and band leader Conan was only 12 years old, EXMORTUS released their debut, In Hatred’s Flame, in 2008. Ten years on from their debut, Conan is set to release their fifth offering, The Sound of Steel with an entirely new line-up.
With the entire line-up of EXMORTUS, aside from Conan, leaving the band due to the gruelling touring commitments at the end of the album cycle for 2016’s Ride Forth, EXMORTUS is now a different beast. Most notably, with drummer Carlos Cruz and guitarist Chase Becker of WARBRINGER making up 50% of their line-up, a new energy has been injected into the band that carries into The Sound of Steel. The core elements of the signature style Conan has crafted still remain, with the hyper-aggressive death-thrash style being juxtaposed by neo-classical guitar work – but in execution, the sound is tighter and more energetic.
The quality of the musicianship across The Sound of Steel should come as no surprise. EXMORTUS‘ style may not be everyone’s horn of beer, but there can be no doubt that Conan and the myriad of musicians he has worked with over his history are incredibly technically proficient. Anyone who has followed WARBRINGER should be fully aware of what Carlos Cruz and Chase Becker are capable of – Cruz punishes the kit, keeping the tempo high for the majority of The Sound of Steel, while Becker shreds alongside Conan outstandingly, delivering crushing riff work and blinding leads with ease. Conan’s vocals are the strongest they have ever been, guttural but entirely legible, and his guitar work speaks for itself. The bass-work of Philip Nuñez is a little lost in the mix, however, and The Sound of Steel would have benefited from allowing him a chance to shine.
An aspect of EXMORTUS‘ sound that has always been a strength is Conan’s ability to mix the aggressive, highly technical nature of their sound with absolutely massive choruses and huge hooks. Across The Sound of Steel, this talent is shown in abundance. Right from the get go, EXMORTUS dive into the thrashy, high-octane Make Haste. Unrepentant in its speed and ferocity, the track is perfect for a live environment with its devastating energy and memorable chorus. With Into The Maw of Hell, EXMORTUS drop down to a more groove-focused, stomping style of riffing. The riffs displayed here are infectious, and it is near impossible to refrain from banging your head to the riffs before admiring the lead-driven chorus.
Though the neo-classical elements of their sound are present on every track from The Sound of Steel, more often than not they act as a singular piece of a cohesive idea, rather than the main focus. However, for fans of shred, the interlude A Minor Instrumental and Tempest see the neo-classical guitar work take centre stage as the main focus. Both songs are massively impressive pieces of music, well-executed and entertaining, though Tempest did meander for a little longer than necessary. Riders of Doom offers a somewhat different take from the high-octane, thrashy style displayed on The Sound of Steel: rather than delivering high tempo riffing and bursts of neo-classical shred, the track is much slower, with chanting vocal lines and a sinister, anticipatory atmosphere. The Sound of Steel comes to a close with Victory or Death!, which sees the shredding solos and neo-classical bursts take a much more prominent place alongside the aggressive death-thrash riff work.
There is no doubt that The Sound of Steel is EXMORTUS‘ most mature sounding and accomplished album to date. Mixing the darkness and aggression of thrash, black and death metal with occasional bursts of up-beat power metal riffing and neo-classical guitar work gives the record an atmosphere that shouldn’t work – it is both cheerfully uplifting and brutally crushing in equal measures in a way that, on paper, should be schizophrenic and unfocused, but in execution is thoroughly entertaining and a joy to listen to. At times, the songs seemed to blend together as there is little variation in the structure of the tracks, but otherwise it is clear that with The Sound of Steel EXMORTUS have retained their title as one of modern thrash’s most technically proficient and interesting bands, raising the bar in the most brilliant of fashions.
Rating: 8/10
The Sound of Steel is out now via Prosthetic Records.
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