Written by Xavier Cattarinich TRACK LISTING Apostles Of Ignorance Reap What You Sow Agony & Ecstasy Path Of Ruin Last One Standing In Chaos Lies Creation Final Judgment Time/Set This World Alight Coming Storm Age Of Reason Honor In Death Behold The Fire’s Rage Release Date: June 1, 2018 Label: Unsigned Website: www.cosmogyralofficial.com www.facebook.com/Cosmogyralband |
Sean Adams - Vocals Dee Mulligan - Guitars Eric Estrada - Guitars Rafael Lamardo - Drums Erik Lissabet - Bass
Barely twenty seconds into opening track “Apostles Of Ignorance”, I am struck by just how familiar Cosmogyral sound. Is this Amon Amarth playing under another name? Everything from the crunchy rhythm guitar tone, to vocalist Sean Adams’s layered guttural lows and vicious shrieks that conjure Johan Hegg—all scream “clone”! Not quite halfway through the song, the tempo shift from fast/upbeat to slow and lumbering catches my attention, and the squeal emanating from the lead guitar makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Awesome.
Similarities with Amon Amarth are magnified on the next two songs, “Reap What You Sow” and “Agony & Ecstasy”, which both kick off with the former’s trademark melodic riffs over rapid fire double kick. Just as I am about to completely write-off Cosmogyral as being completely devoid of originality, Adams surprises by adopting a clean vocal style partway through “Agony & Ecstasy” that reminds me of a cross between Zachary Stevens (Savatage), Chuck Billy (Testament), John Bush (Armored Saint) and Ray Alder (Fates Warning). The vocal switch brings a power metal element to the album, which is also reflected in the music and provides a good compliment to the dominant classic thrash meets melodic death sound.
Unfortunately, while Adams’ guttural vocals are solid (if virtually indistinguishable from Johan Hegg’s style and tone), his clean delivery is uneven throughout the record. Sometimes it’s fine, but just as often, he strains or comes across a bit off key. Borderline performances stand out all the more when Adams sings in his clean voice above competing lead guitars, as on “Final Judgment.” Conversely, he kicks ass during the first part of “Time/Set This World Alight” (not so much around the midpoint and later), and especially when he nails the highest notes on “Age Of Reason”.
The remainder of the album essentially is more of the same blend introduced early on, seven parts Amon Amarth to three parts power metal/thrash combo. Still, in spite of treading on so much familiar ground, Behold has notable strengths. Guitarists Eric Estrada and Dee Mulligan are on fire from beginning to end, with the killer riffs of “In Chaos Lies Creation” and the classical guitar licks on “Time/Set This World Alight” making those songs high points on the album. The leads are tasteful throughout the record, seldom sounding forced or wanky. Skin pounder Rafael Lamardo displays significant prowess, his accents injecting plenty of variety to the drumming, while bassist Erik Lissabet ties everything together.
Cosmogyral’s music is catchy yet undeniably heavy. Behold isn’t a groundbreaking release by any stretch of the imagination, but it sinks its hooks deep. The songs are dynamic, the production is good, and the more I listen to Behold, the more it grows on me. I can’t help but headbang or foot stomp to most of the tracks. I generally appreciate the substance of Cosmogyral’s lyrics, in particular their efforts to impart wisdom and reason during a time when so many glorify ignorance and revel in the “indoctrination of hypocrisy” (as per “Reap What You Sow”). These guys have the potential to be great, if they would only fine tune the clean vocals and step out of Amon Amarth’s shadow.
Final Rating: 6.5/10