Angerdome released their debut, self-titled EP last year and we’ve just caught wind of it. Time for a listen to this Italian groove band and see if there is a fuss to be made.
The band don’t mess around, I’ll say that. With a huge, rich, bassy sound there are plenty of hooks and rhythms which encourage much crowd-bouncing. Opening song “Escape This Reality” is the perfect opening salvo, pretty much defining the sound you’ll get to enjoy throughout this seven-track collection. It’s heavy as a heavy thing, but still maintains a steady, headbanging pace with a couple of perfectly timed breaks to allow the adrenaline to build before the pummelling recommences. Seriously, this is a hell of a track.
“Welcome to the Angerdome” and “Direct Result” continue the crushing with a superb collection of fast-changing, heavily distorted, down-tuned riffs and beats. Vocals are of the harsh variety, while the latter track includes a few Maiden-esque scales in amongst the heavier material. Think Lamb of God with a slight twist of classic metal and we’re getting there.
“Shades of Colour” has a belting brief intro followed by possibly the biggest hook on the album before it cranks up the “let’s get a pit going” machine and unleashes metal Hell. Seriously, by the time I got to this point in proceedings I wanted to get to a club in town and see this band on stage. Is there any chance we can sneakily add them as an opener for Machine Head’s upcoming dates? I know it’s an “A Night With…” tour, but everyone needs a warm-up. These guys would really get the sweat dripping from the rafters. I mean, seriously, that bottom-string riff around 2:50. Simple but so bloody good.
“Erase” goes for the “let’s drive a truck full of iron into your face” kind of approach, but still has time for a very slow bass-led instrumental section towards the end. “Through The Mirror” is perhaps the weakest track on a very strong album, but the final track “Fuck Your Creed” is probably the most individual. Definitely sounding more like a classic thrash track in terms of pace and ferocity, it still manages to merge in that infectious groove I’ve already come to love from Angerdome.
I apologise for the short review. I’ve got so much to get through, very little time and – honestly – I just want to get back to doing some other stuff while I listen to Angerdome on repeat. Don’t know whether to trust my judgement? The whole thing’s streamable on Soundcloud. Go listen for yourself, it’s embedded below. Like it enough to buy it? Grab a copy from bandcamp (digital or CD).
Angerdome: official | facebook | youtube | soundcloud | bandcamp | reverbnation
