Artist: Starkill
Title: Fires Of Life
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Release Date: 10th May 2013
Label: Century Media Records
Album Review
STARKILL is relatively new blood to the melodic death metal world of metal. Combining a sound that blends DIMMU BORGIR with that of AMON AMARTH, their music hits hard but is also beautiful. From the riffs of ‘Fires Of Life’ to the piano subtleties of ‘Whispers Of Heresy’, listeners will know they are in for a treat. The music is harmonically epic, but not fluffed or overdone. Some might even consider a track like ‘Fires Of Life’ akin to the sound of WINTERSUN, highly acclaimed melodic death metal band from Finland that is known to do their music in an epic style. Of course, STARKILL has a similar feel, but isn't a rehash of the band as the vocal style is deeper and throatier, but still suits the music quite well, especially when considering a track like ‘Below The Darkest Depths’.
STARKILL's debut, 'Fires Of Life' doesn't really bring anything new to the table that many bands before haven't done well enough already, but they emulate then quite well. When hearing the solos on a track like ‘Below Darkest Depths’ there is definitely some CHILDREN OF BODOM in there, and it sounds excellent. Others like ‘Infernal Rebirth’ are more orchestral backed and have that repetitive chugging that makes DIMMU BORGIR popular, but STARKILL always tries to mix it up, whether throwing in quiet keyboard sections or a blazing solo. The organization of tracks like these is what is going to get fans into STARKILL because they make the music seem so lively and gives it more depth than just guitars, bass, drums and snarling. Tracks like ‘Strength In The Shadow’ display this best, but at the same time if STARKILL overuse this style too much it makes the music seem cheesy rather than epic. Still, overall this is a well-developed album and will appeal to fans of melodic death metal that is geared towards fantasy themes or symphonic touches.
Tracklist
01. Whispers of Heresy - 6:25
02. Fires of Life - 4:48
03. Sword, Spear, Blood, Fire - 4:45
04. Below the Darkest Depths - 5:17
05. Immortal Hunt - 6:31
06. New Infernal Rebirth - 4:53
07. Strength in the Shadow - 4:56
08. This Is Our Battle; This Is Our Day - 5:28
09. Withdrawn From All Humanity - 4:05
10. Wash Away The Blood With Rain - 7:27
Line-up
Parker Jameson – Lead guitar, vocals, keyboards and orchestral programming
Spencer Weidner – Drums
Charlie Federici – Guitar
Mike Buetsch – Bass
Website
www.facebook.com/starkillofficial
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 8
Total: 7.5 / 10
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