melodic death metal
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It's the 1st of September. This morning I've been watching the children go back to school. Not my children by the way, other people's kids. For the past few months there has been a discussion about the duration of the summer holiday in Belgium. Many people find it way too long and judging from the enthousiasm on those kids' faces, they think so too. The strange is, that entousiasm reminded me a lot of how I felt when I want to the summer festivals for the first time. Discovering new bands, enjoying the bands I already knew and having a blast with my friends. In the late nineties and early 2000's I visited most of them and always came back with a lot of merchandise, much to the anger of my parents...
If M.H.X's Chronicles would be one of those festivals now, I'd probably do exactly the same. At least, if they can play a convincing live-set with this material. The band hails from São Paulo, Brazil and is mainly gathered around Murillo H. Xavier (Guitars & Vocals), hence the 'M.H.X.'. The 'Chronicles' part of their band name comes from C.S Lewis famous book series 'The Chronicles of Narnia', which was a huge inspiration. 'Infine Ocean' is their first full-length after a debut e.p. earlier. It's a great piece of melodic death metal, often nudging towards metalcore.
As usual with albums like this one, the whole opens with an instrumental intro. In this case quite a stunning one. 'Overture of the Seas' is a splendid piece of epic film score music, perfectly opening this album. From then on we're on an amazing journey of riffs, melody, brutally growling vocals and several other elements, all brought with a lot of variation. Musically, I could compare the music to a blend of Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth and Insomnium, to name a few. 'Conquest Of Oceans' and 'Sand Castles' are already early highlights, fierce piece of melodic death metal and quite irristable.
Yet, it's mainly the atmospheric, or symphonic, elements that make this album so interesting. The way a song like 'The Way Home' begins with synths and a victorious feel, is just perfect. Even when the full-on metal assault kicks in, the piano and keyboard remain a fundamental part of the music, lifting it to a very high level. 'At The End' does the same, be it in a slower, doomier, tempo. 'Outcry', another highlight, comes up with clean vocals, completing the grunts and enhances the epicness even more.
I have no idea what to think about the 'Amazing Grace' cover. It's probably one of the most covered songs in the history of music, with all kinds of instruments and vocal arrangements. M.H.X's Chronicles' version starts with bagpipes (brilliant) but strangely loses some of its power when the guitars and grunts kick in. Nonetheless, it's a decent version but I'm not sure it belongs on this album. 'Winter Song' does, a highly varied, massive piece of extreme metal which lasts for almost twelve minutes and could be a very convincing e.p. on its own.
So in all, I really dig this album because it takes me back to those hot afternoons in festival tents, armed with a cold beer and a horned fist. The earlier mentioned metalcore elements gradually fade away when I listen to the album a few times, realizing that metalcore is inspired by death metal and not the other way around. So if you're into decent melodic death metal, be it quite brutal at times, you really should check this out.
Serge
If M.H.X's Chronicles would be one of those festivals now, I'd probably do exactly the same. At least, if they can play a convincing live-set with this material. The band hails from São Paulo, Brazil and is mainly gathered around Murillo H. Xavier (Guitars & Vocals), hence the 'M.H.X.'. The 'Chronicles' part of their band name comes from C.S Lewis famous book series 'The Chronicles of Narnia', which was a huge inspiration. 'Infine Ocean' is their first full-length after a debut e.p. earlier. It's a great piece of melodic death metal, often nudging towards metalcore.
As usual with albums like this one, the whole opens with an instrumental intro. In this case quite a stunning one. 'Overture of the Seas' is a splendid piece of epic film score music, perfectly opening this album. From then on we're on an amazing journey of riffs, melody, brutally growling vocals and several other elements, all brought with a lot of variation. Musically, I could compare the music to a blend of Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth and Insomnium, to name a few. 'Conquest Of Oceans' and 'Sand Castles' are already early highlights, fierce piece of melodic death metal and quite irristable.
Yet, it's mainly the atmospheric, or symphonic, elements that make this album so interesting. The way a song like 'The Way Home' begins with synths and a victorious feel, is just perfect. Even when the full-on metal assault kicks in, the piano and keyboard remain a fundamental part of the music, lifting it to a very high level. 'At The End' does the same, be it in a slower, doomier, tempo. 'Outcry', another highlight, comes up with clean vocals, completing the grunts and enhances the epicness even more.
I have no idea what to think about the 'Amazing Grace' cover. It's probably one of the most covered songs in the history of music, with all kinds of instruments and vocal arrangements. M.H.X's Chronicles' version starts with bagpipes (brilliant) but strangely loses some of its power when the guitars and grunts kick in. Nonetheless, it's a decent version but I'm not sure it belongs on this album. 'Winter Song' does, a highly varied, massive piece of extreme metal which lasts for almost twelve minutes and could be a very convincing e.p. on its own.
So in all, I really dig this album because it takes me back to those hot afternoons in festival tents, armed with a cold beer and a horned fist. The earlier mentioned metalcore elements gradually fade away when I listen to the album a few times, realizing that metalcore is inspired by death metal and not the other way around. So if you're into decent melodic death metal, be it quite brutal at times, you really should check this out.
Serge