CD Review: Mekong Delta - Intersections

Written by Colin McNamara Tuesday, 15 May 2012 13:16

Artist: Mekong Delta
Title: Intersections
Genre: Progressive Thrash
Release Date: 20th April 2012
Label: Steamhammer/SPV

Album Review

MEKONG DELTA began their Progressive Thrash career in the late 80s and since then have made quite a name for themselves, evolving along the way to a more technical, jazzy tone that has put then on par in the vein of the sub genre with artists like Brazil’s ANGRA and even a bit of DREAM THEATER. ‘Intersections’ is a re-visitation of much of MEKONG’s earlier work with a much more updated sound, so fans are able to experience a more Progressive style of music that might have been considered just basic Thrash for its time. ‘The Cure’ is a bit misleading at first with its raw, heavy Thrash mixed with Power Metal style- especially due to the vocals, but as the album progresses, there is a darker side that is more technical and unique. ‘The Healer’ sounds a bit like DIO with the spoken word vocal approach mixed with the singing and the guitar work is excellent with a much more complex approach instead of just fast chugging and solos. ‘Heroes Of Grief’ has a thicker sound but doesn’t obscure the technical bits, although the pace is slower and the overall rhythm much more Rock oriented so it isn’t is quick and outstanding as a track like ‘Sphere Eclipse’, but at the same time it is easy to digest and get into for those who find the technical bits a bit too mind boggling.

‘Heartbeat’ brings forth more atmosphere with the very slow beginning and from the guitar tones there is definitely some ‘Wherever I May Roam’ influence from METALLICA in there, although MEKONG DELTA aims more for a much more haunting presence in the track. The closing ‘Prophecy’ from ‘The Music Of Erich Zann’ back in 1988 features the best balance between faster Thrash Metal and the more Technical/ Progressive side of the music. Overall, some of the sound has been updated so older fans will probably want to revisit this simply to hear a few classics. New fans can definitely sink into this easily if they like Thrash or Progressive Heavy Metal. At the same time, to record these classics can be a bit of a rehash attempt; this isn’t the first compilation album the band has released. Many might feel that despite the rendition and updated sound, more efforts could have been put forth to put out new material for everyone to enjoy; this was a similar attitude felt towards the HYPOCRISY rendition of ‘Catch 22’. Still, those who like MEKONG DELTA in a diehard way will probably grab this up just to compare differences and hear how much the band has really come along in their twenty seven years of existence.


Tracklist

01. The Cure - 4:08
02. Shades of Doom - 4:13
03. Sphere Eclipse - 6:08
04. The Healer - 7:25
05. Innocent - 5:11
06. Memories of Tomorrow - 4:37
07. Heroes Grief - 5:34
08. Heartbeat - 6:54
09. Transgressor - 3:32
10. Prophecy - 4:18


Line-up

Ralf Hubert (Björn Eklund)- Bass
Benedikt Zimniak- Guitar
Erik Grösch- Guitar
Martin LeMar- Vocals
Alex Landenburg- Drums


Website

www.mekongdelta.eu


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 7
Sound: 7
Total: 7 / 10


Buy the album here!