A crushing metal fusion of melodic, detuned riffs, lyrical soling, unique vocals and wardrumming. Conceptual lyrics about mythical beasts, ancient battles, tyrannical warlords and an epic space opera of galactic proportions.

12 MP3 Songs in this album (65:37) !
Related styles: Metal/Punk: Progressive Metal, Metal/Punk: Doom/Stoner Metal, Mood: Angry

People who are interested in High On Fire Mastodon The Sword should consider this download.


Details:
Comprising two years of musical evolution, "Artists of War" is the self-titled debut from Athens recording artist Brad Olsen. It is a creative amalgam of all things interesting in modern metal. There are moments of extreme brutality by way of the aptly titled "Eight Headed Fire-Dragon" and "Titan Rising," as well as more complex, artsy pieces like the instrumental "Earthwing." Detuned guitars with plenty of fuzzy thickness carry each song through riffs that chug slow like a halting locomotive before speeding up and taking the listener on a non-stop thrill ride. Brad's vocals are as diverse as his riffs. His Dave Mustaine-esqu singing is most prevalent, but is never overused thanks to adequate doses of sustained screams, gutteral growls, spoken pieces, and occasional harmonies that would make Alice In Chains proud. Being twelve songs and over an hour in length, the album is not a lightweight and holds nothing back. Each piece stands on its own as a musical entity, but combined tell stories of warrior's who create art through death. "The Judge (Artists of War)" is the most identifiable track with this aesthetic, but sci-fi themes are also explored. "The New Gods of The Galaxy," as preceded by the three-minute interlude "(voices) Aboard Spacepod 4," is a prime example. It features an intricate plot about the ultimate evolution of mankind and the rise of a new galactic race. With dense lyrics and vocal experimentation as well as some of searing dual guitar work, the track is absolutely epic. Book ending the album is a forceful thrasher, "Titan Rising," which segway's into the bluegrass styling of "Spiritus Rhythmus;" a final interlude into the disc's last track. "Fall On The Sword" brings it all together; the mighty riffing, solos that shred with soul, lyrics about a warrior's last chance for honor through death and an anthemic closing chorus.

This album crushes and takes no prisoners. It will enlighten you and melt your face. Artists usually say that the audience should find their own meaning in art, but "Artists of War" is meant to be understood. Passion, emotion and feelings pervade this album and tell a story that is important. This story can be interpreted in many ways, but the basics remain true: heavy riffs rule, the riffs must be unusual, every solo must be different and convey a different idea, there must be one part in every song that sends chills down your spine, the album must be enjoyable every time you listen to it, it must not abandon its influences, nor must it be too reliant upon them, and all hail the amplifier. Amen.