Oath, The: Self-Destructed

The dark, stark and disturbing image on the sleeve of The Oaths latest album Self-Destructed enforces that this is a band that means nothing but business. Since their inception they have recorded three albums, this being their third. The production of this album is stunning; the band certain knew what they were doing when they got Kristian Kohlmannslehner involved in the project. The sound really steps the band into the next league, bombastic in approach, confident, skirting and cavorting with a more commercial edge, but whether that is enough to make them more successful, only time will tell.

The album is a washed with brutal, evil, aggressive and punctuated growling vocals, supported by the twin guitar work of Leone and Da Silva, working like a well oiled machine. The back line of Reynaud, Devaus and Bardon really maintains the structure for this to exist, powerfully developing and building the foundations, which makes it sound so solid. For all those nuances, when the band sit back and play what comes from the heart, which sounds an out of place comment to make, the band really can deliver some stunning material.

With all the essential double kick, lightning speed drumming, powerhouse bass and atmospheric keyboard work, that has become synomonous with this genre, The Oath have managed to maintain that essential melodic structure, which can be especially heard on the epic "I Am Nothing", "Only" or "Embrace", which for me, are the strongest tracks on the album, finding the right balance musically, making the listener hang on every note played. Even on "Watch Me Bleed" the band have very cleverly mixed the inimitable dual vocals, with great aplomb.

The album for me works on so many levels, with the band like I said, having found the right balance musically. Whether there is enough appeal here for the hardened hardcore Death Metal fan is debatable, but what is for sure, what is on offer here, deserved to be heard.

Where does the band go from here? Well I have my thoughts and no doubt they have theirs, but only time will tell.

Track Listing
1 End of the Lines
2 Embraced
3 Alone I Roam
4 Way to Nowhere
5 Only
6 Watch Me Bleed
7 Impossible Cure
8 White Fields
9 I am Nothing

Added: October 19th 2010
Reviewer: John OBoyle
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 3185
Language: english

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