Talamyus: Raven's Call to Annihilation

I would really like to know where the title for this release came from. As some of you know, I am a long-term reader of Edgar Allan Poe (I've even written about him) and enjoy making connections between his work and heavy metal music. To my knowledge, Poe never used an expression like "Raven's Call to Annihilation" in his work, but he famously wrote about a raven, one with an obsession with reminding one grieving man about the inevitability of death and decay. For Poe, death appears to have been the end of it all, a final doom. He worried over that belief publicly and privately, his stories often a sustained meditation on the problem of death.

Whatever the inspiration, Talamyus has given us a strong, tight, recording that is a delight to listen to. I was especially impressed with the music here. It moves along aggressively, usually with that march-like rhythm so common to bands like Metallica in their heyday. As I listened to this album, I often thought back to 80s thrash, sometimes even the NWOBHM bands that set the tone for so long. I'm not suggesting these guys are trying to sound like old metal, but their harmonies, twin guitar attacks, and galloping bass bring those things to mind quite often. These guys play with the excitement and the talent of metal's glory years. Just listen to the instrumental track "The Curse" for a good example. I wonder if some readers will think this style is too familiar, even pedestrian. I hope not because these guys sound great and demonstrate that metal--and its history--is still a relevant approach to songwriting and performance. I dug it and I think others will, too.

I was slightly less impressed with the vocals. Despite my constant complaining, I do enjoy the deep, guttural, growls so common in today's scene. Nevertheless, I think that they should be used in addition to other vocal styles and techniques. Too many bands rely on the one sound to carry all their songs. To me, that's a mistake. I want to hear what else a singer can do, perhaps even get a glimpse of his personality as a front man. I'm going to keep my eye on these guys.

Track Listing:
1. Raven's Call to Annihilation
2. Inner Turmoil (Instrumental)
3. The Dead Will Walk the Earth
4. The Berserkers
5. Remembering the Gods
6. Spawn of the Elements
7. Darker Days Lie Ahead
8. Disciples of Hypocrisy
9. Warlock
10. The Curse (Instrumental)

Added: October 9th 2012
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Myspace Page
Hits: 2202
Language: english

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