HAIL OF BULLETS

A concept album based around World War II? Nope, I don't think that's been done before. So, looming over the battlements 1st track 'Before the Storm (Barbarossa)' appears sounding like the incidental music over a cut scene from the latest WWII video game. Honestly, I could have been playing 'Medal of Honour'. Still, it's actually a good track, nicely atmospheric and, somehow, not at all cheesy. Bursting shrapnel comes next in the form of 'Ordered Eastward'. I was surprised to learn that this band was from The Netherlands which, whilst only a couple of countries away, isn't Sweden. You see, Hail of Bullets is very much influenced by 90s Gothenburg (Entombed/At The Gates) mixed with Bolt Thrower-esque Militaria and, unsurprisingly as the vocalist is none other than Martin van Drunen, Pestilence. There's a real ominous feel to the production, which suits the mood and the lyrical themes very well. The twin guitars of Stephan Gebedi and Paul Baayens are horrific in their brutal onslaughts. Never really distinguished from each other, they light up the sky with their wicked bombast. The bass of Theo van Eekelen fair rumbles along on its tracks, never quite peering over the top, but always supporting the front line attack. The savage battery of Ed Warby's drumming is never too flashy; and it shouldn't be (this is stomping foot marching music). Favourite song? 'General Winter' takes it with its superb chugging middle section. I'm a sucker for mid-paced chuggery. So, would I take this album into battle? I'm pleased to say, with a smattering of hypothetical tomfoolery, "Yes". Now, what's on The History Channel?

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Metal Blade Records

Album

...OF FROST AND WAR

Review by Steve Cowan

RUNNING TIME:

52:55

RELEASE DATE:

19th May 2008

TRACK LISTING

1) Before the Storm (Barbarossa)
2) Ordered Eastward
3) The Lake Ladoga Massacre
4) General Winter
5) Advancing once more
6) Red Wolves of Stalin
7) Nachthexen
8) The Crucial Offensive (19-11-1942, 7.30 AM)
9) Stalingrad
10) Insanity Commands (Bonus Track)
11) Inferno at the Carpathian Mountains
12) Berlin

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Netherlands

"...very much influenced by 90s Gothenburg (Entombed/At The Gates) mixed with Bolt Thrower-esque Militaria..."