Seattle’s progressive death metallers, 7 HORNS 7 EYES, released their first full-length album, ‘Throes Of Absolution’, throughout Europe on 23rd April this year via Basick Records.
‘Divine Amnesty’ gets us off to a slow, very melodic start before we get greeted by a small barrage of riffs, drums and screams that continues on thought the track. ‘Phumis: The Falsehood of Affliction’ carries on in a similar vein. ‘The Hill Difficulty’ is slightly softer and has a more growly start to it before the seeking riffs lift the vocals and tease your senses.
‘Cycle Of Self’ has a more of a ‘groove’ feeling throughout its duration; again it’s the guitars that really stand out over everything else. ‘Delusions’ starts of melodic before it picks up pace to a good foot stomping head banging beat before some progressive solos. ‘A Finite Grasp of Infinite Disillusion’ a doom laden style track with lilting melodies fleeting before some heavier and complex riffs and beats take over.
‘Vindicator’ carries on the melodic doom style whilst retaining a great heavy groove and feel as well as the being interlaced with elaborate riffs. ‘The Winnowing’ plods along in a similar style. To finish of the album we have ‘Regeneration’ is a tranquil melodic instrumental track where the band showcase what they can do with their instruments!
The production of the album is great done by 7H7E guitarist, Aaron Smith at his own studio Envisage Audio, then mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Amon Amarth) along with re-amped guitars by Andy Sneap (Megadeth, Killswitch Engage) there is nothing lacking there. However the vocal style is a tad samey and the drums don’t really leave a lasting impression, it’s the soaring riffage that captures your attention and lingers on after you have stopped listening to the album.
Throes Of Absolution is a solid dark amalgam of melodic death metal laced with a liberal dose of technical blend of labyrinthine riffage, flavoured with orchestrations and keyboards with a piquant edge of progressiveness.
Rating – 7/10
1. Divine Amnesty
2. Phumis: The Falsehood of Affliction
3. The Hill Difficulty
4. Cycle Of Self
5. Delusions
6. A Finite Grasp of Infinite Disillusion
7. Vindicator
8. The Winnowing
9. Regeneration
Band Members
Ryan Wood – Drums
Aaron Smith – Guitar
Sean Alf – Guitar
JJ “Shiv” Polachek IV – Vocals
Brandon Smith – Bass
Album sampler video
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF8JYVehmNY&feature=youtu.be]