Warbringer’s scope
has never been broader than it is on Weapons of Tomorrow. Clocking in at just
over fifty minutes, the album is the thrashers’ longest to date and features
several tracks that reach beyond their standard three to five-minute fare. Nothing
ever reaches the length of “When the Guns Fell Silent” off 2017’s Woe to the
Vanquished but tracks like “Notre Dame (King of Fools)” and “Glorious End” work
to channel a similarly grandiose splendor.
This album also
features some of the band’s most experimental songwriting thus far, perhaps
second only to 2013’s IV: Empires Collapse. The most striking example comes
with “Defiance of Fate,” which pairs blackened vocals with more melodic guitar textures.
The effect is jarring though enhanced by the tense atmosphere with “Heart of
Darkness” achieving success by similar means. “Unraveling” stands out on the
less epic side of things as its blistering speeds come close to death metal levels.
Of course,
there’s still plenty of time for straightforward thrash. “Firepower Kills” and “The
Black Hand Reaches Out” make for a strong one-two start, the latter tailor made
for the pit like “Remain Violent” before it, and “Outer Reaches” puts in some
frenzied riffing to match its spaced out lyrical theme. Through it all, Carlos
Cruz’s drums are constantly blasting, the riffs are choppy, the guitar and bass
tones are punchy and full, and John Kevill’s shriek is as distinctly shrill as
ever.
While Weapons
of Tomorrow isn’t quite a new thrash classic, it may be the strongest Warbringer
album since 2011’s Worlds Torn Asunder. A move to longer songs is certainly a
risky move, especially when every other old guard band is releasing albums that
are way too long, but it works surprisingly well. The greater lengths give the
experimental tendencies more space to develop and the theatrical tone keeps the
variety consistent. There are better Warbringer albums out there, but they’ve
never sounded this mature.
Highlights:
“The Black Hand
Reaches Out”
“Defiance of
Fate”
“Heart of Darkness”
“Glorious End”
Final Grade: B+
No comments:
Post a Comment