renkls
A very intense listen, and one that is perhaps over all too fast. The Makai's second full length runs a measly 27 minutes, but when it's as fluid and dynamic a display as they put on here, you don't really want it to end.
Playing a hardcore style of thrash/melodic death metal, not dissimilar to a band like Spain's Ictus, The Makai take up the challenge of a one track album format, and pull it off rather respectably. Opening out of the gates with great intensity, the first twelve minutes is a blur of heavy, high energy thrash metal, which as the LP side ends, turns to a melodic interlude, which builds again into the heaviness of a slightly doomy progression.
The playing style is precise and never less then engaging. It's an uncompromising ride to be sure, but well worth an engaged listen. The band is currently on hold, which is a shame, seeing as the quality of this album is of such high standard. It's also a shame it's only been released on LP so far, but I hear a CD release may be imminent.
It's not a complete classic, and the second half can be draining, but it is still a four star effort.