CD Review: Aloop - Dead End/ New Deal

Written by Colin McNamara Thursday, 26 July 2012 12:02

Artist: Aloop
Title: Dead End/ New Deal
Genre: Modern Metal
Release Date: 27th August 2012
Label: Mighty Music

Album Review

The sophomore effort from Denmark’s talented Modern Metal Thrash outfit ALOOP has been a long time coming; almost seven years in fact. After their stunning debut of furiously crushing genre-blending back in 2005, the band has made several tours across their home country, expanding and expressing their sound up to the point of where it has become more than just the basic Thrash that it settled its roots in. When hearing ‘Dead End/ New Deal,’ one can hear traces of Modern Metal marvels like RAUNCHY, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, and even hints of some classical influence as well. Right from the start with ‘Deception’ it is pretty clear that the chugging format draws on a mix between Thrash and Metalcore with the rough growling mixed up with the rather higher, slightly whiny cleaner vocals performing in the typical Modern Metal fashion of “harsh verse/ clean chorus” style. This pretty much sets up the bread and butter for the rest of the album. Of course, the vocals are the most dynamic as the album progresses, changing from their deep snarl to growls and even a hardcore chant on ‘Automation’. Even the clean vocals have a certain level of melody that they don’t really achieve on other songs.

Some tracks herald back to the earlier days of ALOOP with just pure basic Thrash attacks mixed with crossovers into Metalcore. ‘Point Of No Return’ and ‘Masquerade’ use less of the clean vocals and stick to the harsh ones while being supported by sharp, jarring riffs that are catchy and churning in a Thrash formula that would appeal to fans of EXODUS or SLAYER. On the opposite end, ‘Django’ switches for more of a Rock oriented style with the clean vocals leading and the harsh vocals taking a backseat. Of course, the best intrigue on the album would have to be the two part ‘Hell On Earth 2’, which opens with a very slow and sombre beginning backed by orchestral keyboards which gives listeners a nice break from the chaos they just heard. The second part throws in a bit of country fusion with the clean vocals leading throughout in a semi ALICE IN CHANS fashion right before building up to a short bridge of heavier Thrash and then closing out again with some piano sections that fade away into the distance. Compared to the previous album, the music here is much more epic and works out wonderfully overall for fans of Modern Metal who want to hear something that sounds hard but has plenty of rhythm to it and doesn’t follow every trend straight to the mainstream letter. ‘Dead End/ New Deal’ is a symbol of ALOOP leaving the past at one point but starting anew seven years later with a fresh sound that isn’t too alien to former fans but is different enough to bring notice that things will not be a repeat.


Tracklist

01. Deception - 4:45
02. Automation - 3:06
03. Point Of No Return - 5:01
04. Plot To Kill - 4:43
05. Chemical Kiss - 5:03
06. Django - 5:27
07. Sudden Death - 5:30
08. Masquerade - 3:49
09. Falling - 5:03
10. Brave New World - 4:46
11. Hell On Earth 2 Pt. 1 - 2:04
12. Hell On Earth 2 Pt. 2 - 5:50


Line-up

Bo Larsen – Vocals
Henrik Mortensen – Guitar
Rene Beck – Guitar
Thais Beermann – Drums
Thomas Carlsen – Bass


Website

www.aloop-metal.dk


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 7
Total: 7.5 / 10