I’m sure that, in today’s day and age, for any music fan, there are two sides to the coin in our buying choices and decisions. Not to be confusing, but what I’m trying to say is that there is a love-or-leave-it mindset. Some wait with bated breath for their band or bands to release their favorite Metal style. They will grab any of the latest just because they have “got to have it.” This is despite what we all know, which is that not too much that is being put out there nowadays is truly breaking any new ground.
So then, if we look at the other end of the spectrum, we have the haters and the naysayers. Those who have to denigrate anything that is not real or just rehashing the sound of the forefathers. They will vilify anyone who are in the previous camp I mentioned. Be it the bands and/or the fans themselves. I would like to think there is a small percentage that sits right in the middle of things. You are not gonna spread anger or ignore anybody for their choices, but you may not be a completionist either. You are glad to go about your day and have a good listen to any band. Absorb what they have to offer, take in the good aspects, make note of the bad, and move on with things. So if you happen to be one of these happy campers of that small minority, I may have a release tailored just for you.
I’m asking you to take a look at Temple Of Dread. This here is their latest release on the Testimony Records label, and I will say they can truly hit that sweet spot on the memorable meter. I took an interest in the band early on because they have a good cross-section of the Florida Death Metal style (my fave) along with some of the trappings of early Pestilence and, of course, with the almost obligatory touches of Dismember and Entombed. Needless to say their is plenty of Death Metal goodness to appease all and your own little niche. So what’s not to like, right?
Well, I’m glad you asked because there is plenty set on the table for us all to dig into. Pull up a chair and welcome the solid production, where clarity is at the forefront, and all is airy and warm in its sound. The music you will hear while heavily old-school in its approach the mixing gives it a more modern dynamic clarity. The guitars have that heft, not quite the HM2 tone that most would expect but enough to give a wink and a smile to know where they are coming from. Should you still hunger for more, the drums give you the needed pummeling in the gut. I say this because both drums and vocal are set a bit higher in the mix. Meanwhile, vocalist Jens F. gives us shades of John Tardy and Martin Van Drunen. His delivery is a welcome plus to the material, and his voice spews enough volatile fire to make you feel the words and tone. There are those welcome air guitar moments that draw you in as well, and you know we all enjoy a good imaginary fretboard fest.
The music itself runs by the rails in its delivery, harkening to the above-mentioned bands, so don’t expect too much variation in the overall approach. Songs like the title track and ‘Rites of Blasphemy’ are barnstormers in their own right, while track ‘Scorched By Cosmic Fire’ offers up a bit more mood and variation in its epic qualities. It comes across as much more grandiose compared to the other numbers.
If I were to touch upon any real negatives, it may be a slight lack of progression in the recent material. This could almost be considered ‘God of the Godless’ Pt II. Much of the same dynamics and song structure are being carried over here as well. The main real difference between the two is I feel here is the production. It’s louder and much more in your face. I’m not complaining too much, mind you, because I thoroughly enjoyed the previous long player, but I have that album already. While nothing contained herein is outstanding, you cannot fault good form. Having said that tho this can be a great starting point for those new to Temple Of Dread. There is also the cold, hard fact we must take into account. That it is bringing nothing new to the table, but like the band members in their press photos with their leather jackets, we cannot go wrong with a good, worn-in standby of the genre.
