Release Date: 30 November 2011
Song Count: 10
Duration: 44 minutes, 54 seconds
Rating: 8.6/10
Description:
Song Count: 10
Duration: 44 minutes, 54 seconds
Rating: 8.6/10
Description:
From the spirit of what once was a music group named Sonic Syndicate emerged its resurrected form, The Unguided, in 2010, also in Falkenberg by its former members. Following along on the footsteps of its predecessor when it comes to blending in multiple alternative strands of metal together into one sound, this band plays around with different ways in which the genre has combined aggression with melodicism over time and uses them to tell grand and compelling narratives through their music. Their full-length debut following an initial attention-grabbing EP would come in the form of Hell Frost, an energetic entry into the grander scene and a shining exemplary piece of the band's interesting style.
With striking instrumentalism, structure and a sense of thematic connection reminiscent of power metal, harmonic backings interwoven with rapid drums and harsh progression akin to melodic death metal and the polish and alternating vocal deliveries that metalcore acts are known for, the album serves as a continental bridge to every subgenre it finds leanings in. A sense of awe and wonder for the musicians' talents arises witnessing the engaging and heavy tunes unfold in one's ears, as the ice-filled, terrifically cold image of hell that the cover art and titles carry finds themselves married to pained, despair-filled lyrics. The full set of tracks the record comes with keeps up with a consistent line of quality and cognitive engagement that rarely, if ever, dips below a bar set impressively high.
With memorable features that several of the songs possess and sheer musical talent channelled into every moment of the album, Hell Frost finds itself easy to admire as a musical piece offering almost all one could ask for. The previous experience present within the backstory of each of the people that make up the music's many moving parts truly shows itself here, as the rather subtle linking of several types of metal with seemingly parallel yet practically extremely differing features is made to sound almost effortless. A great listen overall for fans of those seeking something that tows the line between being melodic and harsh-sounding in a way one may not be quite used to yet.