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Born From Pain – War
Like a lot of their Metal Blade counterparts, Born From Pain have been leading the way for European metal bands for longer than you may think. Now almost in the tenth year of their existence, they release their 4th full-length album, ‘War’. Clearly pioneering the way for artists such as Hatebreed and Throwdown, BFP create a sound which is based upon a newer version of metal, incorporating hardcore, but very obviously influenced by earlier thrash metal, with Slayer particularly coming to mind.
Riff after heavy metal riff are layered upon relentless drumming to create a well-built sound for the vocals to add to. The singer’s constant harsh vocals suit the backdrop perfectly, but remaining the same throughout the album means they can become monotonous, in the most metal way possible of course, but end up grating on you slightly by the end of the album. The riffs, however, are very well constructed and peak and drop and exactly the right times which means any sense of repetitiveness brought on by the vocals, or by the second guitars (which can be a common flaw found in this style of hardcore and metal), is dismissed as all focus is primarily on the lead.
The breakdowns are also another important part to BFP’s sound, entering a new high-speed realm of chugging guitars and crashing drums which finish in epic sounding, guitar-lead slower sections. These moments, as well as some of the riffs have a melodic edge to them which results in their songs, as well as certain hooks and choruses, becoming fairly catchy and they stick with you long after you’ve finished with the album. These more melodic sounds create a different aspect of the hardcore/metal genre, which is more interesting to listen to than their modern successors. Featuring guest vocals from Barney (Napalm Death), Lou (Sick of it All) and others, this is an album to check out.
Ashleigh
