Artist: Caliban
Title: I Am Nemesis
Genre: Metalcore
Release Date: 6th February 2012
Label: Century Media Records
Album Review
CALIBAN is one of the more well known names of Metalcore/ Modern Metal in the German area of Metal, and even though they’ve had their ups and downs (particularly with their last release), they have never wavered in their ability to keep going strong and keep up and inspirational attitude. Ever since their debut in 1998, they’ve come a long way from being a mediocre, average Metalcore release to something much more. Today’s CALIBAN is more than just another LAMB OF GOD or KILLSWITCH ENGAGE clone. Adding in tons of more melody to their music with the use of keyboards and clean vocals, they’ve rounded out their arsenal to bridge the gap between the fans and naysayers which has coined them more into the Modern Metal subgenre as opposed to Metalcore. Sure there are downright crushers like ‘We Are The Many’ which directly kicks off the album with a very “fuck you” attitude and somewhat cliché riffs- a sign of the strong anthem driven, but rather generic older CALIBAN- but the album only progresses from there. ‘The Bogeyman’ has a more rock oriented sound similar to that of the now defunct FIVE BOLT MAIN with snarling instead of singing, and ‘Memorial’ is an excellent blend of snarling and clean singing with tons of keyboards to add melody for a symphonic background that embodies Modern Metal.
Like their previous release, ‘Say Hello To Tragedy’, ‘I Am Nemesis’ is very focused on social issues and the depravation of society. Similar to FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH’s ‘American Capitalist’, this album hits hard and pokes at the things that go on in the world around us but has become so routine to life that nobody really pays attention anymore. Listeners can feel the anthem driven hate behind ‘Deadly Dream’ and the slow pounding of ‘Edge Of Black’ which even touches a bit on Deathcore with its repetitive chugs; the clean vocals again add tons of melody and harmony that didn’t really grab listeners in the past, but this time it feels like CALIBAN gets things right. The infusion of electronic elements also helps bring in a whole new scope of sound to those who feel the guitar, vocal, and drum approach is too dry. ‘I Am Nemesis’ is a strong offering from the band that carries the energy that got them noticed in the first place, but with a better musical output that is orchestrated beautifully- just listen to ‘This Oath’ to hear the emotion behind it. Fans of groups like ARKAEA, DEADLOCK (with no female vocals), or even HEAVEN SHALL BURN will find this very appealing.
Tracklist
01. We Are The Many - 4:01
02. The Bogeyman - 3:08
03. Memorial - 4:19
04. No Tomorrow - 3:26
05. Edge Of Black - 4:58
06. Davy Jones - 4:06
07. Deadly Dream - 4:02
08. Open Letter - 3:38
09. Dein R3.ich - 3:30
10. Broadcast To Damnation - 3:32
11. This Oath - 3:29
12. Modern Warfare - 3:22
Line-up
Andreas Doerner – vocals
Marc Goertz – guitar
Patrick Grün – drums
Denis Schmidt – guitar & vocals
Marco Schaller – bass
Website
www.calibanmetal.com
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Total: 7.5 / 10
Buy the album here!
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