Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 02:23 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Thrash / Death
Country: Greece
Label: Memento Mori
Year: 2018
It’s been a few weeks now, I keep writing and writing this review, however I haven’t managed to reach a certain opinion, to get my thoughts in order. My mind is still hazy, probably I’m still perplexed about this particular album. I’m talking about Rapture’s sophomore release “Paroxysm of Hatred”, which was released via the Spanish label Memento Mori last January in digital and physical form.
But let’s take things from the top, beginning with the simple stuff, the undoubtable. “Paroxysm of Hatred” is Rapture’s second full length record, released three years after the band’s debut “Crimes Against Humanity”. Eight tracks with a total runtime of 41 minutes, full of old school, badass attitude, but with a more ‘professional’approach; it’s not yet another band that released an album just for the sake of it. The recordings took place at Eleventh Tower Studios, while Haris Vougiatzis handled the production.
In order to classify Rapture’s sound, we’d better speak in terms we all know. The band follows the paths paved by extreme metal titans, such as Demolition Hammer, Dark Angel and Kreator, but with a Sepultura twist. Ultra sound speeds with aggressive tremolo riffs, relentless drumming and so on. The influences of the band have been filtered, but still linger in the surface. Rapture don’t wish to bury their music background, and why should they?
Everything seems working right so far. What more could we ask for here? We’re dealing with a well – written and quite sophisticated album, with nice production and clear sound, while composition-wise “Paroxysm of Hatred” could be a soundtrack for a documentary on hooliganism. Rapture have established their identity and took things one step further, by evolving as a band and as individuals. They sound a lot more concentrated, having faith in their material and characterized by a kind of passion that’s missing these days. Take into consideration the factthatthey are young at age, as well, so we’ve only glimpsed some of their potential.
Somewhere here, at least I get to that point where I think whether this album is really good, now that the excitement of the first hearing sessions is gone. In the end of the day, what has “Paroxysm of Hatred” to offer?Yes, the technical capability / agility of the band is great. Yes, the final result is even, and they really deserve it, since the improvements are distinguished in many parts of the album. Yes, the production is clean, the sound is clear, volume and depth are also good. YES TO EVERYTHING. However, I felt that Rapture didn’t actually push any limits or the boundaries of the genre. They persuaded me to a point and I’m sure that performed live these tracks probably slay. Maybe I don’t want to be enthusiastic enough because I have a good relationship with the lads and become a tough judge. I really don’t know. Maybe I’m getting an old grumpy lady. Those of you who haven’t heard “Paroxysm of Hatred” yet, give it a spin, I’m sure everybody will find something to love.
