melodic death metal / industrial
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Nothing like a good slab of musical violence to start the day, accompanied with a hot cup of coffee of course. Perhaps it would be a good idea to start this review with a little confession: I wasn't really keen on reviewing this album in the first place, solely because of the artwork. I know, I shouldn't judge a book (or a cd) by its cover but it happens to the best of us. Yet, when I finally entered the album into my cd-player, to be played while I'd doing the dishes, something awesome happened.
Efpix is a Russian band, founded somewhere in 2013. Since then, they have been writing, rehearsing and creating songs with epic riffs and massive synths, with brutal vocals and plenty of electronics. Inspired by both the Götheborg scene and the industrial side of metal, this trio comes up with something both metalheads and goths could appreciate. Somehow they managed to make melodic industrial metal, which is actually quite an accomplishment. After all, this genre is best known for its repetitive pounding.
Maybe the difference in this case is the overall tempo. Most of the songs aren't fast but slowly drill themselves a way through your skull. Opener 'The Bells Of Destiny' and early highlight 'God Is Our Entity' really remind me of acts like Pain, Hypocrisy or perhaps even Treponem Pal. It isn't until 'EVil Sides' that the tempo goes up and the influences from the Swedish melodic death metal scene come shining through.
Yet, even though there are clearly references to acts like In Flames and even Amon Amarth, I can't help but take the industrial approach as the main element in this music, probably because of the elaborate use of synths and electronics, which in this case is a massive compliment. These elements add a lot of dark atmosphere while the guitars, vocals and drums take care of the intensity. 'Revenge' is another perfect proof of that. I could see a lot of people windmilling (*) to this one.
Another band that often comes to mind, is Samael, which might be obvious with the combination of grinding guitars and epic soundscapes. Yet, the also seems to be something older, something inspired by the gloomy industrial sound of the eighties as well as the gothic rock sound of nineties. 'Space Invaders' sounds a bit like an overpowered version of some Sisters Of Mercy, Killing Joke or Fields Of The Nephilim tracks, played by a Swedish death metal band. But perhaps that's just me.
Fact remains that this is an awesome album, heavy, relentless and merciless. It's perfect wedding of some of the most interesting metal genres in the past few decades. Even black metal fans will be able to find something they like here, namely 'The Slave Of Satan'. If you don't believe me, check it out. Efpix might not have released the best album cover of the year, but the album might go high up in the rankings...
Serge
(*) windmilling: circular heabanging (also possible with your penis but I wouldn't recommend it)
Efpix is a Russian band, founded somewhere in 2013. Since then, they have been writing, rehearsing and creating songs with epic riffs and massive synths, with brutal vocals and plenty of electronics. Inspired by both the Götheborg scene and the industrial side of metal, this trio comes up with something both metalheads and goths could appreciate. Somehow they managed to make melodic industrial metal, which is actually quite an accomplishment. After all, this genre is best known for its repetitive pounding.
Maybe the difference in this case is the overall tempo. Most of the songs aren't fast but slowly drill themselves a way through your skull. Opener 'The Bells Of Destiny' and early highlight 'God Is Our Entity' really remind me of acts like Pain, Hypocrisy or perhaps even Treponem Pal. It isn't until 'EVil Sides' that the tempo goes up and the influences from the Swedish melodic death metal scene come shining through.
Yet, even though there are clearly references to acts like In Flames and even Amon Amarth, I can't help but take the industrial approach as the main element in this music, probably because of the elaborate use of synths and electronics, which in this case is a massive compliment. These elements add a lot of dark atmosphere while the guitars, vocals and drums take care of the intensity. 'Revenge' is another perfect proof of that. I could see a lot of people windmilling (*) to this one.
Another band that often comes to mind, is Samael, which might be obvious with the combination of grinding guitars and epic soundscapes. Yet, the also seems to be something older, something inspired by the gloomy industrial sound of the eighties as well as the gothic rock sound of nineties. 'Space Invaders' sounds a bit like an overpowered version of some Sisters Of Mercy, Killing Joke or Fields Of The Nephilim tracks, played by a Swedish death metal band. But perhaps that's just me.
Fact remains that this is an awesome album, heavy, relentless and merciless. It's perfect wedding of some of the most interesting metal genres in the past few decades. Even black metal fans will be able to find something they like here, namely 'The Slave Of Satan'. If you don't believe me, check it out. Efpix might not have released the best album cover of the year, but the album might go high up in the rankings...
Serge
(*) windmilling: circular heabanging (also possible with your penis but I wouldn't recommend it)