HELL — Curse & Chapter (review)

HELL — Curse & Chapter album cover Album · 2013 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Curse & Chapter" is the 2nd full-length studio album by UK heavy metal act Hell. The album was released through Nuclear Blast Records in November 2013. The lineup who recorded "Human Remains (2011)" remain the same on "Curse & Chapter". Hell were initially active in the eighties and were weeks away from recording their debut album when their label (Mausoleum) collapsed which subsequently led to Hell disbanding. Guitarist Dave Halliday comitted suicide shortly after. However the remaining members of the band reunited in 2008 and renowned producer and former Sabbat guitarist Andy Sneap joined as the band´s new axeman.

With "Curse & Chapter", Hell make it abundantly clear that "Human Remains (2011)" wasn´t just a one-off reunion album and that they are pursuing the momentum they created with that album. Stylistically "Curse & Chapter" more or less continues the NWoBHM tinged heavy metal style that was introduced on "Human Remains (2011)". There are still nods toward artists like Iron Maiden (listen to the instrumental "Deathsquad" for proof of that) and Judas Priest, but also toward more "occult" artist like Mercyful Fate/King Diamond and Witchfinder General. The band performs the music with passion and conviction and lead vocalist David Bower´s reeks madness and desperation in addition to aggression. His dramatic/theatrical delivery (which is occasionally spiced up by eerie spoken interludes) is a major part of the band´s distinct sound. Keyboards are used occasionally as well as choirs, but this is predominantly guitar, bass, drums and vocal dominated music.

The material are generally well written, instantly memorable and damn catchy. Tracks like "The Age of Nefarious", "Darkhangel", the Race Against Time cover "Harbinger of Death" and the Sanctuary/King Diamond influenced "Something Wicked This Way Comes" are among the highlights, but there are no weak tracks on the album. The sound production (handled by Andy Sneap) is a typical, powerful and clear Andy Sneap production. While the sound production is a very professional piece of work, and especially the guitar tone is edgy and muscular in a very powerful fashion, I still think music like this works slightly better with a more gritty sound production, but mind you that´s a purely subjective observation, and most people will pretty surely enjoy the sound on "Curse & Chapter" without ever thinking about such things.

Upon conclusion "Curse & Chapter" is another great album by Hell. Fans of the band will not be disappointed. Hell have refined their sound a little more since "Human Remains (2011)", but othwerwise kept the great features from that album. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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