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End Of Man: Power, corruption and lies
26/03/09 || HailandKill
With dozens of thrash bands putting out albums these days, how can one more be any different? How can the usual Slayer decibels, crunchy riffs, rollicking drums, and rapid-fire vocals stand apart from a scene populated by clones?
The only thing End of Man have going for them is they’re Filipinos and the production on their spanking debut is rock-solid. Aside from that… well, if ya dug the last albums from Destruction, Holy Moses, Legion of the Damned, and Kreator, you might get into these guys as well.
Kicking off with a bang, “Questioning” is a delicious mosher that will get your neck snapping in no time. The speed, the riffs, and the drums mix so good, you’re tempted to shit your pants. The vocals are also impressive. Think early Anthrax, Intruder, Metal Church, stuff like that, because without a doubt these guys got the pedigree to back up the image.
While having a song titled “Depression and Suicide” proves a depressing exercise in suicidal unoriginality, it actually opens pretty well – builds the listener’s anticipation and shit – then goes for the throat. Beautiful. End of Man are doing a good job so far, but it gets better. The title track is a real anthem that has got Iron Maiden’s epic bent on top of its larger-than-life sound. The song “Power, Corruption, and Lies” nails you to the floor and will have you nodding in appreciation. It seems nothing can go wrong after this. And nothing does, because the album has the magical ability to keep you on the edge of your seat with its energy. However, if this quality holds little appeal, then quick, stack this CD wherever you stack CD’s cos it doesn’t really go places musically, y’know? A few minutes longer than “Reign In Blood” and packing surprises ranging from metalcore chugs to bluesy guitar ad-libbing, the rest of the album is a roller coaster of violent themes and equally violent musicianship. Too bad you’ve already heard it a few dozen times before.
The one-two punch that finishes the album, “Pit of Death” and “Pagkagat Ng Dilim,” have the decency to finish this debut on a loud note. Between the two, it’s the latter that rawks hardest. Even if you don’t understand its Filipino lyrics, it’s got the testicular arrogance to cream all over your face. This song is really good. Either Shadows Fall or Testament could not have done better.
This isn’t the best album you’ll hear, if you buy it, but it is the love child of one band’s passion for their sound.
The cover? Someone’s ramshackle house is on fire. It happens often in the Philippines.
6 corrupting lies out of 10.
- Information
- Released: 2008
- Label: Pit Of Death records
- Website: www.endofman.net
- Band
- Joey De Guzman: vocals
- Yam Dela Torre: guitars
- JC Paterno: guitars
- Francis Alcantara: bass
- John Carpio: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. Questioning
- 02. Depression and Suicide
- 03. Power, Corruption, and Lies
- 04. Hate Attrition
- 05. Invocation of the Flesh
- 06. Blood Betrayal
- 07. Pit of Death
- 08. Pagkagat Ng Dilim
