8-POINT ROSE - review added 29th June 2010
Album Review: Primigenia (2010)
For fans of: Prog Metal... and good new bands
8-Point Rose - Marcus Nygren on vocals, Alexander Timander on guitars (and screams), Adam Johansson on guitars (and growls), Marcus Sjösund on bass, and Johannes Timander on drums - is a relatively new band (less than a year old) from Sweden. You'd have to say having a full length album out on a decent label like Escape so quickly is rather impressive.
Debut album Primigenia was recorded across Sweden in the cities of Umeå, Kiruna and Malmö, and produced and mixed by Ronnie Björnström (who also plays some acoustic guitar on the album) at Enhanced Audio Productions. It also features guests slots by artists from bands like Bloodbound, Avatar, Andromeda, Zonaria and Morgana Lefay.
The sound is a fine amalgam of hard rock and various metals including prog, speed, power, heavy...and even some death. It's a heavy but hugely accessible album that strikes a brilliant balance between weighty violence and upbeat catchiness. Every time you think 8-Point Rose are heading off towards an area of unnecessary brutality they rein it in with a well placed hook or memorable harmony.
Best moments include the throbbing 'Resolve', the ridiculously catchy twin-play of 'Out Of The Shadows' and 'When Chaos Rules Our Lives', the slower yet still bombastic 'The Shadow', and the In Flames-baiting 'Winter Storm'. That's not to belittle the remaining tracks. There isn't a bad moment throughout the whole album.
Yep, this is a fine album. It could do with another couple of huge moments, and there isn't a lot here that hasn't been heard before, but it's pretty damn good all the same.
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. Resolve
02. Out Of The Shadows
03. When Chaos Rules Our Lives
04. Endless Rage
05. Relentless
06. The Shadow
07. Winter Storm
08. I Want The World To See
09. Primigenia
10. Name Of Time
Label: Escape Music
Artist's website(s): 8 Point Rose | MySpace
