My first impression was
that a fourteen track album just can't keep my interest sustained throughout,
yet I was pleasantly surprised by the creativeness of Resolution.
It does more than entertain; it is truly a modern musical journey. In my biased
opinion, this album is leaps and bounds better than Wrath.
A very brutal attempt,
and faster than anything they've done since New American
Gospel, Resolution stays true to Speed/Death.
Unfortunately, it is not sustained on the epicness scale of Ashes of
the Wake
Straight for the sun
Unconventional intro to
one of the most popular (speed) metal bands of all time. Yet, it fits – I'm
rather tired of most soppy guitar intros; rather scream and explode.
Desolation
Very fast paced song with
screeching vocals. Altogether some very fast-paced riffage. The whole
song feels like a time bomb going off. The over-used bell-crashing works
wonderfully. This song serves as an indication of the heaviness of the rest of
the album.
Ghost Walking
Definitely the 'single'
of the album. Raw (loose-string sounding) guitar intro to the song, which gives
an awesome effect. The second verse is simply A-class, making the flow of the
riffs very subtle. The bridge is only two sentences long, before breaking into
one of the best guitar-solos on the album.
Guilty
The song bursts with
power, with some intense riffage and a radical usage of vocals. This song made
me doubt the quality of diction on the album (with my biased reference of All
Shall Perish This is where it ends, being an example of deathcore
with good diction). Without reading the lyrics or listening to this song at
least ten times, it is really hard to discern what Randy is saying.
The Undertow
Pounding drums, with
Chris abominating every riff with some speed drumming, yet the degree of
technicality is undeniable. Around 02:00 there is a verse that sounds like
demon-horses galloping to hell, flowing into long crusty notes with stretched
vocals. Then at 02:50 the bass in the song explodes, an enigmatic atypical
feature nestled within a typical milieu.
The Number Six
Because of some
metal-core type chorus (without the lame fucking vocals), this song really
sticks. The bass on this song is fucking amazing. The use of some obscure
creative harmonies gives a different edge to the screaming vocals. All things
considered, a very unconventional LOG song.
Barbaraosa
Putting a minute and a
half instrumental in the middle of the record is a risky thing to do,
considering it has the potential of slowing the pace. Yet, it is more just a
breather, a nice rest for the ears before the second half of this beast takes
over.
Invictus
Really dig the fading-in
guitar intro. Another song with insane bass playing. I'm not the biggest fan of
short slides on the guitar.
Cheated
Easily my favourite song
on the record. Very interesting vocal intro. Good rocking riffs over "have
you ever get the feeling you've been cheated". The song actually feels
short because it ends with: "have you ever get the feeling you've– "
. What an amazing technique.
Insurrection
The slow-paced intro is
illusive, by using a weird vocal technique that really slows down the song. The
bell-crashing is prominent before the chorus.
Terminally unique
Thunderous vocals in the
intro gives a good, pounding effect. The steady drum-rolls at 02:22 can already
be envisioned in circle-pit form.
To the end
This song has a cool
rocking intro, flowing into a slow verse, with the guitar keeping a steady
pace. This allows room for a nice step (very high note) which complements the
vocals, and sounds really like a rock riff. This, as with a couple of other
songs, has insane vocal techniques, giving a really deep sound. Love the clean
guitar at 02:55 (the drums kicking in during the second lick makes the song
explode).
Visitation
The vocals remind me a
bit of New American Gospel.
Style: 5/5
Vocals: 4/5
Innovation: 3/5
Production: 4/5