UMUR
"As Above, So Below" is the second full-length studio album by US, Seattle based thrash metal act Forced Entry. The album was released through Relativity Records in June 1991. It´s the successor to "Uncertain Future" from 1989. The trio lineup who recorded the debut album is intact on "As Above, So Below". Two promotional videos were shot for the songs "Macrocosm, Microcosm" and "Never A Know, But the No", which shows the financial muscles that Relativity Records had after Sony Music acquired a 50% stake in the company in 1990. Despite the two videos receiving rotation on MTV's Headbangers Ball (which was the place to be heard/seen in those days, if you wanted to succeed), Forced Entry never achieved much commercial success, and after releasing the 1995 "The Shore" EP (which was actually recorded in 1990-1991 during the same sessions which spawned the material featured on "As Above, So Below"), the band folded.
Stylistically the material on "As Above, So Below" is a more eclectic type of thrash metal than the more straight forward thrash metal style of "Uncertain Future". Heavy groove laden riffs and rhythms have been added to the the band´s sound, and while this can´t be 100% labelled a groove metal release, some parts definitely point in that direction.
The musicianship is strong on all posts and it´s one of the greatest assets of the album. The riffs are sharp and creative, the lead guitar work is clever and melodic, and the rhythm section deliver a heavy and powerful punch. Unfortunately lead vocalist/bassist Tony Benjamins is a pretty unremarkable singer. Not awful by any means, but his voice and singing style is very standard for the genre, and don´t bring much to the music.
"As Above, So Below" features a dry, sharp, and detailed sound production, which suits the material perfectly, and to my ears it´s a very well sounding release. Maybe just slightly too sterile, but I personally enjoy the clarity of the instruments and how you´re able to hear each note and beat with ease. Upon conclusion "As Above, So Below" is in many ways a high quality thrash metal release with heavy groove metal elements, and had Benjamins been a more interesting and distinct sounding vocalist, my rating would have been higher. As it is a 3.5 star (70%) rating is still deserved though.
