THE SIGN OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS — I Carry the Fire (review)

THE SIGN OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS — I Carry the Fire album cover EP · 2011 · Groove Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Time Signature
I carry the groove...

Genre: groove metal / southern metal

"I Carry the Fire" is an EP released on Season of Mist by the groove metallers Sign of the Southern Cross to keep the fans busy, while the band are working on their next album. Season of Mist and the band have generously actually released this album for free and legal download from Season of Mist's web page (see the entry for this release for download details).

The EP contains three tracks. The first track, which is the title track, is very much typical of post-Pantera southern metal, as it combines elements of thrash metal with the groove of southern rock (but, of course, balled up to the Nth degree). I think that this track is pretty good, and I like how it builds on a genre very much cemented by Pantera but still does not sound like a Pantera-rip-off. I do not appreciate the over-the-top yelled vocals, I must admit, but they are not so distracting that one cannot enjoy the music itself.

The second track, which is entitled, "If You Find Yourself Looking Back" is not really a metal song, but sounds more like the type of ballad which was popular among the grunge and alternative rock bands of the 90s, but infused with southern elements and a shreddy guitar solo. I actually think that this is a very good track, and my favorite track of the album.

"Doomswagger" is more of a thrashy track, and, like the title track, it combines the groove of southern rock with the aggression of thrash metal, and, like the title track, I think that this is a fine example of groove metal. The vocals are a bit over the top at times here, too, but the groove of the music itself is so awesome that the vocals do not really disturb my listening experience.

I think that fans of groove metal and southern metal will appreciate this album, and, because it's actually free, it also serves as a nice entry point to metal fans who are not familiar with groove metal or with Sign of the Southern Cross.
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