Album Type : Album
Type
Date Released : 22.11.2013
Label : Nuclear
Blast
Curse & Chapter, album track
listing :
1. Gehennae Incendiis 1:47
2. The Age Of Nefarious 3:46
3. The Disposer Supreme 6:52
4. Darkhangel 7:15
5. Harbinger Of Death 4:55
6. End Ov Days 5:33
7. Deathsquad 5:14
8. Something Wicked This Way Comes 5:09
9. Faith Will Fall 3:47
10. Land Of The Living Dead 4:09
11. Deliver Us From Evil 4:45
12. A Vespertine Legacy 6:36
The Band :
David Bower | Vocals
Kev Bower | Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Andy Sneap | Guitar
Tony Speakman | Bass
Tim Bowler | Drums
Review :
Having Hell back on the metal scene
is a great thing, and don't let anyone tell you any different! As a live
prospect they're superb; they're a tight band who know how to craft glorious
choruses and scintillating riffs into a stupendous mix of metal fun. 2011's
Human Remains had the cult status to help it along, but I doubt it would have
needed this, as it was such a fine record. Second time around, can lightning
strike twice?
In short...a resounding yes. More of the same formula is at work
throughout. The blasphemous lyrics, the catchy hooks, the razor sharp guitars
and the beefy rhythm section.
A suitably sinister opening track gives way to lead single; The Age of Nefarious. This track already
had me salivating about the album when I got the chance to review it for The
Sludgelord. It's the perfect way to kick things off proper. Disposer Supreme opens with one of
several spoken word sections that picks up the dramatic theme that was so well
introduced on Human Remains. The dramatic is something that is once again
employed in superb fashion throughout the album. The riff that opens Disposer Supreme is one of many glorious
moments. The following track is an early highlight for me. Darkhangel has a dark string laden opening which again creates a
sinister tension before a standard rock opening is obliterated with another
amazing stomach churning riff.
David Bower’s vocal range for the
duration of the album sees him plundering the depths with deep tones, but his
shriek is second to none. His delivery on Something
Wicked This Way Comes is a joy to hear. It is snarling and unnerving; and
the chorus line will get stuck in your head. The Shakespearean themes are
something that Hell is no stranger too. The off tempo nature in certain parts
of the track also shows the complexity in the ranks of Hell’s awesome rhythm
section. Another great chorus is laid down on End Ov Days. The marching opening of the track leads to great head
down neck wrecker of a track. Land of the
Living Dead’s opening sounds like a horror flick on wax. A keyboard opening
is once again taken to the next level with a classic and anthemic rock feel.
Hell is a band that should be lauded
a lot. Each track on Curse & Chapter has its own story to tell, and each
one is delivered with aplomb. There is a greater use of synthesisers on the album;
however this only seeks to add to the mystique and intrigue of the album. They’re
a fantastic band; and for a band that looked like being merely a footnote on
music history, they’re certainly reinforcing their mark on the industry. Andy
Sneap’s production values and the bands quality shine throughout; the record
shows that the band was not merely a one record flash in the pan. Sometimes a second
album is the hardest of a bands output, that means you’ll have a career or not.
Curse and Chapter seeks only to cement Hell’s position as one of the best metal
bands in England.
Words by :
Dominic Walsh
For more information :
