Metamorphosis: Born Of Might

Every now and again you come across a CD that is far from spellbinding, whilst remaining resolutely difficult to criticise. Born Of Might, which is the fifth release from Boris Ascher's one man outfit Metamorphosis definitely falls into that category.

Landing somewhere between death and black metal, without really being either there is in essence nothing wrong with Born Of Might, but somehow the whole experience leaves you nonplussed and even though I must have listened to this CD eight or nine times now, hardly any of it has left any long term mark. The fact that the production makes the whole album way too polite for an extreme metal release and that Ascher sings in a style that isn't clean, but isn't quite growled (I can't quite but help wonder if a lozenge wouldn't actually clear up that froggy throat he has) make what are otherwise well written and competently performed songs way more run of the mill than they really are. The guitars are pleasant rather than bighting, while the solos and clean breaks take the music into the rock 'n' roll metal of the likes of Dommin, which I don't think was the intention.

It is unfair to only point out the frailties of this album, as there isn't actually a bad song anywhere in sight, with "Black Blood", "Infernal Winds" (a lozenge won't fix that!) and "Maelstrom Of Chaos" all containing well constructed riffs and some great percussive work, while the beautiful acoustic interlude during "Within The Veil Of Dusk" is as surprising as it is welcome and illustrates a different side to Ascher's music that is well worth exploring further.

There's no denying that Boris Ascher is a talented musician and song writer, but I can't escape the fact that there are countless albums from the genres he is working within that I'd listen to before this album. Maybe it's time to collaborate with some other people to try and maximise the ability shown on Born Of Might?

Track Listing
1. Born Of Might
2. Black Blood
3. Pan's Labyrinth
4. Visions From Beyond
5. Iceworld
6. Infernal Winds
7. A Mystical Journey
8. Within The Veil Of Dusk
9. Maelstrom Of Chaos
10. Descent Into The Void

Added: March 18th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Metamorphosis Official Web Site
Hits: 2125
Language: english

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