Cromm Cruac - Meadows of Madness

Cromm Cruac's second album sports an abstract cover which as we shall see suits the band's music. The CD begins with the mid-paced Second Sight. It immediately becomes apparent that deep growls reminiscent of Benediction and a Death-ish technicality are the order of the day with this band. Swain Island is next and is comprised of more mid-paced material. It starts with a harmony and a sharp guitar sound. Cromm Cruac certainly likes its tempo changes, complex fret runs and technical riffs, which seem to belie the deep vocalizations. The song finally betrays its ultimate intentions getting into a jazzy mid-section. That is the pattern for the album: very technical riffs and tempo switches, assertive guitar and bass, growling and a general dominance of skill over impact - although the latter clearly exists. It does speed up, but only momentarily before falling back on the techno-death standard. As is the nature of such compositions, the songs occasionally do not flow well, a victim of the complex nature of the band. Still there are occasions when the brutality wins out. It is a tug-of-war that may confuse the listener. Having said that it sets the Dutch band apart. - Ali "The Metallian"

[ Discography ]

Label: Firebreath | Item Code: Various | | Genre: Death Metal