Solid follow-up to a classic
Frank Rini | Maryland | 10/13/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I really felt Beyond the Permafrost was an incredible release. Every song was catchy both musically and vocally, and I can hum every tune in my head. It's rare to find a band that can create such a memorable release w/tons of catchy riffs and vocals. So I set the bar high for this release, maybe a little too high. This is 100% Skeletonwitch, no doubt, but it's not as memorable as BTP. the first thing that is noticeable is the production has a much rawer sound than the last cd, not as polished and has a more underground feeling. I feel this detracts from material, as it's not as punchy sounding as BTP. The other big draw back, for me, is the fact that the songs are not that memorable. Sure their are a fair amount of tunes that rock like the awesome opener submit to the suffering, stand fight and die, crushed beyond dust and strangled by unseen hands, but more often than not I zoned out of the songs. I got the preorder last thursday and have listened to it half a dozen times already and the songs just don't stick out that much. Muscianship is top notch and this band still cranks. I think this is more of a grower, as an album, but when something does not hit me hard the first several times I ususually relegate it to the pile of cds I will listen to down the road. The band claim this is their most brutal release. It's about the same as BTP. Blast beats woven in between thrashier parts. I love the vocals. The black metal coupled w/the sinister deep death growls are better on this release, I feel. Anyway if you like this band you will like this, for me, it's just not as striking as BTP."
Buy This Record Right Now
Blake Corvin | Walkertown, NC, USA | 11/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is way better than the awesome "Beyond the Permafrost" if that gives you any idea how good it is. If you are in any way homicidal, genocidal or any kind of cidal, please do not pick this up. If Mother Theresa had been listening to "Breathing the Fire" while helping African children, the results would've been somewhere between genocide and necro-orgy. I also encourage you not to drive while listening to this album as you might be inclined to brutally murder anyone who forgets to use their turn signal. It unleashes the primitive, murderous anger buried in all of us. Also, if you're fat, please consult your doctor before putting this on."
This album is fire, swords, zombies, volcanoes, thunder and
William Dorfer | 12/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hopefully the title will give you some idea of what "Breathing the Fire" is like. Skeletonwitch has made another great thrash metal album, and honestly, it's even a few steps ahead of "Beyond The Permafrost". This album is like a musical flaming electric hurricane that may just instigate a gigantic moshpit with each time it's cranked.
The band is quite talented indeed, coming up with plenty of riffs that are catchy but not too simple. The drums are also insane, putting an edge to an already edgy sound. And to top it off, the vocals add an interesting element because instead of the aggressive singing of thrash masters such as Metallica's James Hetfield or Machine Head's Robb Flynn or the whine of Overkill's Bobby Ellsworth or Exodus's ex-vocalist Steve Souza, Chance Garnette uses a cross between gutteral death metal vocals and upper register black metal vocals. This sort of overlapping vocal styles for different metal subgenres adds a fresh feel and makes things even more exciting. It's also crazy to think that most of these songs are all of three minutes but contain just as much energy as a song twice their length.
Now, as for the album itself, I think "Breathing the Fire" is a few steps forward form "Beyond The Permafrost" for a few reasons. For one, the songwriting here has gotten even better. Secondly, the band has added some more melodic elements to their sound. Listen to the beautiful, clean guitar passages on "Repulsive Salvation" or "...And Into The Flame". Skeletonwitch is able to combine a good sense of melody with brutal, crushing thrash metal. And the combination works here!
Well, I've said enough here. For a half-hour of pure, raw metal, this album is one to get! Five stars to the newest album from the most evil band from Ohio! Thanks for the time, and peace."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1