Brutiful_ViXn
Reign In Metal
Zodiac :  Metal Reputation : 88
Join date : 2012-01-05
Location : Vacationing in Hell
 | |  Warbringer - IV: Empires Collapse (2013) Album Review | |
Warbringer - IV: Empires Collapse (2013)
Century Media Records -- Running Time 41:36
Happy New Year everybody. I've got such a huge pile of albums and EP's to review that you'll be getting a fair few from 2013 mixed in with the brand new stuff over the coming weeks but when they are as enjoyable as Warbringer's fourth album 'IV: Empires Collapse' then who cares!
If you don't already know then Warbringer are another of those band who ply their trade in the Retro Thrash genre and whilst they've been steady up till now I've felt that the earlier albums lacked a little something whilst still being pretty good. Well with 'IV: Empires Collapse' they seemed to have upped their game and not just in a musical sense. Gone is the retro thrash style logo and artwork which has been replaced by something just a tiny bit more Mastodon in look! This is also the recording debut of new guitarist Jeff Potts and bassist Ben Mottsman (both previously members of Mantic Ritual). Don't worry if you're a fan though. Warbringer are still thrashing on all cylinders but the inclusion of these two seems to given some added impetus and diversity to the song writing. There are still those Destruction and Kreator influences, especially with the vocals of John Kevill but we now also have some Death, Punk, Progressive and Doom styles creeping in and it keeps everything that little bit more fresh and exciting! John Laux continues to shred like his life depends on it and drummer Carlos Cruz obviously thinks the apocalypse is coming soon such is the ferocity of his tub thumping!
Put this all together and Warbringer have arguably crafted their best album to date. Lead off track 'Horizon' erupts out of the speakers like an angry Vesuvius but still manages to end with some beautiful Spanish guitar work. 'Hunter-Seeker' is a song destined to become a live favourite, 'Scars Remain' has the feel of a runaway train, you won't stop headbanging 'Iron City' and final track 'Towers Of The Serpent' is slower but no less brutal and closes the album in fine style. Warbringer haven't suddenly created a totally original album, you're not going to do that playing their chosen style but I'm a huge Thrash fan and personally it's a big step in the right direction. I very much look forward to album number five and I strongly suggest you check them out live as well. They will be main support to Iced Earth on their European Tour during Jan/Feb 2014!
https://www.facebook.com/Warbringermusic
http://www.warbringermusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/centurymedia
Review written exclusively for Brutiful Entertainment by Rick Tilley
www.facebook.com/richard.tilley.351
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