Hell Within is a very interesting metalcore band from Boston. They signed to German label Lifeforce Records who have, without doubt, done an amazing job promoting them. I really hope they're going to achieve the success they're aiming, and given the powerful music presented on Asylum of the Human Predator, Hell Within is onto something here.
I'm not really into this type of music, but I still like what I hear on this album. Hell Within reminds me of a cross between later periods of bands like Slayer, In Flames and Shadows Fall. There is also a certain Hatebreed influence to be heard on the more "modern" sounding tunes, such as "Redemption... is a Cold Body" and "Self-Inflected Silence", but I have to mention that Hell Within's vocalist easily blows the Hatebreed singer away. Matt McChesney reminds me of earlier Dark Tranquillity when he does his impressive brutal screams; he is also certainly akin to the singer from Shadows Fall, in the way he constantly changes from harsh to clean singing.
"Godspeed to Your Deathbed" is perhaps the most powerful song on the record. It features neck-breaking riffs with hooks, extremely angry growls that sporadically give way to regular singing, and a nice guitar solo. You got it right -- Hell Within isn't your typical hardcore band; they play nifty guitar solos whose tone is highly melodic and smooth. Guitarists Isaias Martinez and Tony Zimmerman are a solid duo; they play thrashy rhythms as well as fluid guitar solos. The opening riff of "Bleeding Me Black" and the gripping melody of "Open Your Eyes to Open Wounds" are simply mesmerizing -- especially for a metalcore band. Special mention goes to drummer Brian Joyce who will leave you speechless when you hear the drum solo on "Soul Revulsion" or the fantastic kick-drums that pounder like a machine gun on "Merchants of the Blood Trade". Joe Martinez is always there to complement the rhythms with his highly accented double bass plodding along and keeping the songs groovy throughout.
Hell Within is one of those bands that is going to draw the attention of metalcore fans, if they are interested in exploring music with more depth and better songwriting skills. I for one would never look back to the same ol' same ol' metalcore bands out there if more acts like Hell Within were around.
Track Listing
1. Godspeed to Your Deathbed
2. Bleeding Me Black
3. Redemption... is a Cold Body
4. Merchants of the Blood Trade
5. A World to Murder
6. Self-Inflicted Silence
7. Asylum of the Human Predator
8. Soul Revulsion
9. Swallow the Stitches
10. Open Your Eyes to Open Wounds
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