PATHS OF POSSESSION
Paths Of Possession were originally formed by Richard Brunelle (from Morbid Angel) along with Randy Butman and Jay Fossen in Florida. These days they are probably most famous for having George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher of Cannibal Corpse fame as their vocalist. As a death metal vocalist, on this album, his vocals are clear and pronounced, helping to bring a shine to this – Paths Of Possession’s third full length. The bass work of Randy Butman is never lost in the mix and helps establish a big fat sound for the guitars of Jay Fossen and Jack Goodwin to ride over. The production from Hate Eternal’s Erik Rutan certainly helps this album’s focus and overall heaviness, but these days you would expect no less from Mr Rutan! On first listen through to the album, I wasn’t as into it as I thought I would be with the pedigree of the musicians involved - I couldn’t find any line into it all. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of good tracks but it’s just a case that none were leaping out as sounding absolutely killer – something that is needed to stand out from the crowd in an oversaturated death metal market, especially these days. Saying this, though, I’m never one to give up, and leaving the album alone for a few days and coming back to it for a second and third listen, it started to open up its (at first) hidden depths. There is very subtle songwriting with a sense for melody and use of rhythm underlining the heaviness, reminiscent of Atheist’s first album, ‘Piece of Time’. I imagine these are great live songs with the guitars weaving a sound of technical brutality on top of the heavy rhythm section for the vocals to ride over in a vicious whirlwind. For me this is an album you have to invest time in, but it’s certainly worth the effort.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Metal Blade Records
Album
THE END OF THE HOUR
Review by Paul Sims
RUNNING TIME:
47:54
RELEASE DATE:
22nd Oct 2007
TRACK LISTING
1) Memory Burn
2) The Ancient Law
3) I Am Forever
4) In Offering of Spite
5) Pushing Through the Pass
6) Poisoned Promise Land
7) Ash Is Falling Rain
8) The End of the Hour
9) As Sanities Split
10) Engulfing the Pure
2) The Ancient Law
3) I Am Forever
4) In Offering of Spite
5) Pushing Through the Pass
6) Poisoned Promise Land
7) Ash Is Falling Rain
8) The End of the Hour
9) As Sanities Split
10) Engulfing the Pure
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
USA
"...guitars weaving a sound of technical brutality on top of the heavy rhythm section for the vocals to ride over in a vicious whirlwind."