| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Track Structure | 8 |
| Interest | 9 |
| Melody | 8 |
| Performance | 8 |
| Lyrics | 8 |
| Enjoyment | 9 |
| Recording Quality | 9 |
| Commercial Appeal | 7 |
| Overall | 8.3 |
I could have sworn I had reviewed this metal outfit from Brisbane (from the land Down Under) but having exhausted all my search facilities I've come up a complete blank. I have a suspicion it disappeared into a black hole after my last computer crash. And they said it would make life easier, eh? Yeaaahhh, right. Hear that whooshing sound?, that's the wind flapping in the pigs ears as it flies by us. A four peice band, Ditheramb are very active on MP3 Unsigned's forums, and that activity seems to have paid off by bringing their work to a wider audience. A difficult task when dealing with music tainted by the 'metal' tag, believe me..
One of the reasons I think it works for Ditheramb is because they ARE metal, but not as we know it Jim.. Take In My Shadow, for example. It has some classic 'metal' sections both in terms of tone and style but there is so much else here to gawp at that to define/confine it to the metal category (so beloved of pimple faced oiks with way too much dandruff on their collars) is almost a criminal act. The fact is, I absolutely loved every bit of this track BECAUSE the one thing it isn't is metal. No, not strictly true, but the exploration of the genre is total, and shows that not only do Ditheramb have the production nous but are also totally unafraid of doing something totally different with it.
If there is one thing that stands above all others with this track it's that capacity to surprise at every corner, the insanely exhilarating swings between the differing moods of the track. Just on that basis alone, I would have to go for this track. Add to that the very clear, precise sounds achieved in a crystal clear mix and - in my books - you have a winner on all fronts. A track every bit as intelligent as you could wish, and a unique and inmmensely satisfying journey into the wider reaches of what the metal genre can really hold. In the hands of master craftsmen of course, and judged on that basis, Ditheramb show a love and respect for a genre that is not known for such qualities.
Excellent and most highly recommended.
To listen to the track Click Here