THE SOULLESS - review added 17th May 2011
Album Review: Isolated (2011)
For fans of: Melodic Death Metal
UK five-piece The Soulless were once known as Ignominious Incarceration. Fortunately the new name is a lot easier to spell...and a lot easier to say. The band were birthed in 2010 with three members of the original band plus two newbies. "Isolated" is the first fruit of the new line-up.
The band's sound is hugely powerful, fusing modern metal guitars with death metal rhythms and snorty raspy (and rather excellent) vocals. The result is often hugely successful, especially in semi-killer track 'Our Return' and the totally killer 'Unite Us'. The way Andy's vocals intertwine with the brutal shredding is frankly awesome, and the melodies really hark back to vintage perfection, whilst never losing that modern twang.
Parts of the album are formulaic and don't stick in the mind at all, and the two acoustic interludes are totally unconnected with the rest of the LP. Still, quiet bits aside the pace and ferocity are unrelenting, and though it may not stick in the mind it's compelling stuff.
In Summation:
The Soulless are a reasonable distance away from producing a classic here, but they have created an album that deserves to be heard. If they can find more character for their next outing, there's no reason why they shouldn't create something huge.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Unaltered
02. The Path
03. Earthbound
04. 13th Morning
05. New Perspective
06. Clones
07. Revelation
08. Our Return
09. Unite Us
10. You Are Nothing To Me
11. Without Heart
Band/Performers:
Steve Brown on guitars
Chris Ball on bass
Andy Wardle on vocals
Kristen Dawson on guitar
Dan Wilding on drums.
Other Info:
Label: Earache Records
Artist's website(s): The Soulless | MySpace | Facebook
