Weapon: From the Devils Tomb

The first thing that struck me about Weapons new album From The Devils Tomb is the stunning and rather mesmerising artwork which is satanic, majestic and over the top, having been created by Benjamin Vierling, a rather brilliant artist. Such is the power of the artwork that I almost forgot as to why I had this package in my hand. From The Devils Tomb is Weapons sophomore album, which sees the band raising the bar, from their debut caustic 2009 album From The Devils TombDrakonian Paradigm.

This is an album that is all things to all people as it covers various metal styles, melodic, aggressive and to some degree generic in places, but leaving the listener under no illusions that the core fundamental elemental of the band is Death / Black metal. The band has really executed these songs with some military precision, never really allowing the songs to outstay their welcome. This is an aural assault that has been well thought through; we have the heavy satanic riff laden tunes, melodic lead breaks, the aggressive growling vocals and the mighty hi energy drum patterns that are synomonous with this genre, not forgetting those relentless blast beats, which at times sound like the gates of Hades have been opened by rampaging demons. From the opening track "From The Devils Tomb" to the album closer "Towards The Uncreated", Weapon are a band that mean business, wanting to be contenders in the world of extreme, which isn't something that is really associated with Canada, something that the band have achieved. Tracks like the bombastic "Vested In Surplice and Violet Stole", the eastern sounding, a theme that does subtly run through the album, "LEFTHANDPATHYOGA", before all hell breaks loose, the brutal, bleak and epic sounding "The Inner Wolf" or the outstanding and superior "Sardonyx", you can't but be impressed. The music presented here is layered and dynamic, powerful, aggressive, but at times the faster elements that are presented sound slightly generic and lacklustre, detracting from the finer elements of the guitar work.

You can't but be impressed with what is offered here if you are a fan of this genre. Where Weapon goes from here is anyone's guess? Can they better what has been recorded here? I am not too sure. Hopefully the band will drive forward and at least match this album. An album that does draw influence from, and can in its own right, sit proudly alongside bands such as Bathory, Mayhem, Morbid Angel and to some degree Deicide.

Track Listing:
1 From the Devils Tomb
2 Vested in Surplice and Violet Stole
3Furor Divinus
4 Vortex – 11742
5 LEFTHANDPATHYOGA
6 The Inner Wolf
7 Sardonyx
8 Trishul
9 Towards the Uncreated

Added: June 20th 2011
Reviewer: John OBoyle
Score:
Related Link: www.myspace.com/theweaponchakra
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Language: english

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