DÃM — The Difference Engine (review)

Album · 2007 · Death Metal

2.5/5 · 2011-09-16
arcane-beautiful

This band wasn't added to this site until I stepped in and requested them. Now I can see why that is.

I've had this album for a whilst (it was in my local HMV and I thought meh, why not). I then listened to it, and went...meh. For ages it had been gathering dust in my CD collection. I forgot I even had it, then I remembered it, and thought, meh I might as well review this. So I listened to it for the 2nd time, and nothing had changed.

I didn't see the band in any new light, I still just went meh. Ok, now the album isn't too bad, it's listenable and enjoyable to a point, but I've heard most of all this before. Their sound is unique in a sense that it takes aload of different sides of death metal and joins them together, but at times your just thinking, "this only makes me want to listen to Death...or Decapitaed...or Carcass...", or whatever classic death metal band this band makes you think of.

Now their sound is basically mid career Death, with the odd influence thrown in now and then. I mean it, I think this band is a Death copycat at times, in fact I think they're a cover band. Now if they were doing Death songs...that's great, I like Death...but their own material isn't as strong (well some of it is quite good, especially one song in particular). The band also have odd proggy moments, which gives it a uniqueness, but even then, it's a bit overindulgent. With time changes every other second, riffs that don't need to be brought in, and a very sporadic structure, the songs at times can be slightly overbearing...and they're not even that long.

Now their are some positives. The guitar work is pretty cool at times, especially riff wise. The instrumentation isn't too bad either.

Lyricacally the band do what Death do, and write about humanity, the odd exestentionalism now and then, self reflection. You know, stuff that Chuck Schulinder used to talk about. The vocals are pretty cool at times, but sometimes can feel strained, and the vocalist at times will try things that he really shouldn't be trying.

1. The Difference Engine - Best song on the album. I love how the song jumps out at you from the start. Pretty cool vocals. Some really nice proggy moments and killer riffs. Very dark with a black metal vibe running throughout it to. The tempo changes throughout are pretty cool too. 9/10

2. Eyeballing - Some pretty cool grooves throughout. Their is a really cool atmospheric moment in it. The chorus lets it down a bit. 7/10

3. Outside - Love the tempo changes throughout. Nice tempo changes now and then. 6/10

4. Mirror Image Ritual - The riff is an obvious death ripp off. The dueling guitar sound is really cool. The clean vocals are pretty stupid though. The vocals are identical to Chuck at times. 7/10

5. Made Of Beasts - Vocals at times are forced, but at times are pretty cool (especially the Akercocke style ones). Too many changes at times. 6/10

6. Gangrene. Purlence. Impact. - Bit forgetfull. Some interesting solos, but their a bit too wankey at times. Some nice riffs tho. 5/10

7. A Wound That Never Heals - Love that tapping riff. Some nice lyrics, in fact their the best on the album. Some cool changes in tempo. At times it reminds me of Carcass. Love the blastbeats at the end. 8/10

8. New Quest - Boring. Does this album really need an instrumental? 4/10

9. This Has Nothing To Do With Apathy - Sounds a bit like a Celtic Frost rip off. Vocals at times are a bit strained. Nice doomy moments. Bit bland though. 5/10

CONCLUSION: I've been really generous with the mark. Was only going to give it 2, and then I was a bit sad for the band. So it's very rare when I do this, but meh, It'll have to do. The album is ok. Nothing really special, we've heard it all before, but I do admit, their are some great moments on it. Not my cup of tea all the way, but I think their future releases might suprise me.

5.4/10