Scythian's To Those Who Stand Against Us sounds like the best elements of Aura Noir and Mithras combined to create a torrenting hail of death/black/thrash destruction. The latter's elements are what make this record really stand out - you've got all the epic, effects-driven sounds of Mithras' death metal in a big, long, blackened package. If the innuendo puts you off, you clearly won't like the album since that's pretty much exactly what it sounds like.
No for real, this album is ballin'. "Astral Assassins" really kicks things into high gear and Scythian doesn't relent from there to the end of the album. Even the more mid-paced (if you'd go that far) tracks like "Open Steppe" and "Shattered Idols" are filled with killer riffs and memorable fills. The solos are often interesting and filled with a few effects seldomly used by other artists.
I find this album relatively tough to write about. I've even had this review saved for the past two months of inactivity (yeah you heard me), but I couldn't think of a way to really continue it and now I know why. This album is just superbly written. There isn't much more to say about it. A lot of the thrashier riffs will get stuck in your head, and the heavier stuff will make you wish Morbid Angel's latest wasn't a steaming pile of shit. Songs like "Ares Guide My Blade" and "Spires To Ashes" as well as the aforementioned "Astral Assassins" will have you rocking out like any metal fan worthy of his own pitiful existence.
8.75 out of 10
Tracklisting:
| 1. | Pray to War | ||
| 2. | Astral Assassins | ||
| 3. | Shattered Idols | ||
| 4. | Ares Guide My Blade | ||
| 5. | Spires to Ashes | ||
| 6. | Open Steppe | ||
| 7. | Suffering to the Conquered | ||
| 8. | Kurgan Funeral Chant |
I think I've heard of this band before but I never checked them out. Guess I'm going to have to if they sound like Mithras. Anyways, good to see you're blogging again. :D
ReplyDeleteBy the way the last song is corrupt.
ReplyDeleteShit I'll have to replace the link. And thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's more thrashy than Mithras, but there is that early death metal sound ala Nocturnus, Morbid Angel, etc. so basically what Mithras tries to incorporate into their music. It's most noticable with the solos and a few of the more death-y riffs.
Although I'm sure you've noticed by now since you've listened to it. :P
New link works, thanks.
ReplyDeleteYeah I listened to the first 7 songs the other day. I don't really remember what it sounded like but I remember liking it a lot. :P Just another awesome album from 2009.