Customer Reviews

Spell of Retribution

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the best Death Metal bands ever...it is just a shame they are still mostly unknown even in the metal community. What makes them rise above 99% of other DM bands is their unique and original sound...like nobody else...of course you could be unique and suck, but they are unique in a very good way, trust me...check them out you won't be disappointed!!!

The Chasm step up to the plate and deliver one hell of a monumental album, as usual, for their first earache release. This album contains all of the classic Chasm trademarks, as well as some more evolved ideas and concepts. Yes, this album can be quite the task to digest, but it is well worth the time spent in my opinion.

The first track up is another instrumental piece, and this one is no different than their other album openers as far as keeping me interested in the music. I really appreciate and respect this band for coming up with all of these interesting instrumental tracks; they are all adventurous, and explore different realms of the cosmos. Next up, the song The Omnipotent Codex unleashes some awesome Metal Of Death attacks. The guitar playing and drums is top notch once again! This track just kills everything, but still maintains the core Chasm elements. Conqueror and Warlord has some killer clean guitar tone work, which reminds me of Conjuration Of The Spectral Empire in a perfectly good way...these clean guitar tones induce a mood of somber ecstasy! Manifest My Intervention is more along the same lines as the previous track, and another excellent song! Fortress is more a straight ahead Death Metal attack, but it still maintains the signature Chasm sound. Retribution Of The Lost Years is the third chapter in the amazing epic I, The Pastfinder series...I think that this is a very cool idea, doing a 3 part kind of continuation of one idea/song...All three are absolutely amazing and epic in my opinion and the acoustic guitars are just awesome on this track...they are kind of more doom/gloom songs with real feeling to them and they are just excellent! Conjuring The New Apocalypse is another trademark Chasm song, and it has some of my favorite guitar riffs on it...The Eclipse is a monstrous three part epic, and somehow once again The Chasm keeps me interested even though the song is almost 10 minutes long...The last two tracks are some of my favorite ones, The Remains Of The Covenant is almost instrumental, the lyrics to it are on the back insert on the side that says Occult Tales Of Death, and the playing on this song is just amazing once again. To top all of this monumental Metal off, Eternal Cycle Of Delusion is one hell of a dark track and it takes me down into the Chasm's dark odyssey, which is where I like to be!

The Chasm is a unique, authentic Metal Of Death band. This is not everyone, but for those who take the time and energy to listen and feel this cd, it is well worth it. All of their albums are recommended, except Procreation Of The Inner Temple, that's the only I don't have... I hope that they finally get the respect and attention that they deserve now! Hail authentic Metal Of Death!!!

To clarify Antonio's drumming, I'm talking about the parts when he's using the ride cymbal, but when he hits the snare he hits the hi-hat, it adds an extra dynamic to the music in my opinion, really ingenious!!!

The Chasm are one of the most underrated DM bands in the planet.
With chops and songwriting skills galore, this is an album that will please any DM fan looking for music high on quality and low on hype. The Chasm are well versed in all styles of extreme metal, from old school Celtic Frost and Venom to Morbid Angel and Emperor. This album is a must for any Death Metal fan, you won't be dissapointed.

I've always been of the opinion that good underground metal of any persuasion has to be searched out, rather than it coming to you. The Chasm are an example of this-with a rich history but woeful record company support, they have always seemed to be destined to be one of metal's secrets. Thankfully, Earache has signed them and although anything Earache signs these days may be met with a sceptical sigh by metal veterans, it may just be the chance The Chasm needs to show their wares to the metal world.
First of all, what sets The Chasm apart is their identity. Like some of the bands from the 80s (Deathrow, Destruction, Whiplash, Candlemass), The Chasm ooze individuality. No generic blastbeating (not to say there are no blastbeats), no tinny and copycat production, no over reliance on melody or rhythm exclusively. When you hear The Chasm, you know it is The Chasm, more than can be said for many of their contemporaries.
Secondly, the band write songs. Admittedely, they ARE complex and they do require repeated listens but they definitely strike the patient listener as songs as opposed to mere riff collections.
Third, they manage to create an atmosphere unlike most metal bands today. They create an aural darkness which is engaging (perhaps due to the flawed but authentic production) yet distant. Of course, that sounds contradictory but Burzum did the same thing I suppose as do Blut Aus Nord these days.
The Chasm deserve your attention and possibly more importantly to the discerning consumer, you money for their sheer commitment to quality in an age of countless cliche.

The Chasm seem to be pretty low on the DM radar, but now that they're on Eachache maybe they'll start making some waves. Although they may not be hugely innovative in an absolute sense, The Chasm deserve a lot of credit for being iconoclastic in the modern metal scene, eschewing both electronic tinged melodeath crap, and Suffocation-aping tech-death. This is totally old-school DM here, with production that completely sounds like it was recorded in about 1991, and varied, often-melodic riffs. They also have a sense of dynamics uncommon in modern DM, with quite a bit of blasting, but also many slow, doomy passages. And this is some fairly epic stuff, with even the shorter tracks having a great many riff and tempo changes, and a just general feeling of grandure that is, again, uncommon to Death metal. Instrumentally, they are obviously profficient. I particularly like the excellent lead guitar, a true rarity in Death Metal. And, they've got a drummer who isn't just an utterly generic blast machine. (Yeah, I actually like DM drumming quite a bit, but too many people play in EXACTLY the same style.)

Though the individual parts are good, they don't always add up perfectly. Suffice to say, though this album is definitely a good listen, some of the tracks still blur together a bit even after a dozen or so listens. (Still, it may come together a bit more after some more time, as this is some really quite complex stuff) Sounds good while it's there, but it's not always too memorable.(Again, a common DM problem) However, there are a few definite standouts, such as the instrumental opener with it's piercing, instantly memorable lead lines, and track six, with it's doomy melodicism and varied instrumentation, along with a fantastic climactic solo. Anyway, this is just a good DM album, and a must-listen album for those who'd be interested in hearing something that isn't completely of the times.

This is my first encounter with the Chasm and i will say that it's not my last!, This band is great, they aren't just musicians, but visionaries as well, the complex arrangments shine through the well produced album. My favorite song is 'conqueror and warlord' just for the opening riff, thats easily one of my fave riffs ever!, The drummer is freaking amazing, he doesn't have the fastest feet in the world, but his fills and off-time signatures are great and his hand speed is increadible!, Antonio Leone is one of my favourite drummers now, don't believe me then just listen to 'fortress'!

For guitar solos the best example would be the killer solo trade offs on 'the omnipotent codex' and the shimmering choruses lines on 'manifest my intervention' and the gorgeous intro to ;'remains of the covenant' are just a few examples why i'll be coming back for more!

Don't bother trying to label the chasm because they are simply just great metal. Sorry for the length of this review, but i felt i needed an epic review for an epic band.

ALL HAIL THE CHASM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!