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Battletorn > Evil Chains > Reviews
Battletorn - Evil Chains

Evil Chains Will Bind You. - 83%

feratu, November 6th, 2007

Evil Chains is a blast of pure adrenaline, a non-stop 15 minute aural assualt. Although more grindcore or extreme hardcore punk than metal (IMO), Battletorn manage to bring it fast and heavy.

Although just a 3 piece on this album (guitar, drums & vocals), the band makes more of a racket than a band with twice the members. William's drums sound huge, ringing out in all directions, with a ridiculously heavy open high-hat sound. Omid's guitars are extremely raw, on the verge of feedback at all times, invoking an almost Celtic Frost type tone. Let there be no doubt, however, singer Beverly is the star of this album with her insane shouts and outbursts, going on about humanity's inevitable incineration and feminists wearing short shorts.

The opening riff sets a blistering pace, and song after relentless song cascades into the listener's psyche while Beverly sneers about beatings and annihilation. The tempo is generally very fast, straight punk beats prevailing, with rarely any D-beat-type groove. Despite their classic hardcore leanings, the sheer speed and relentless heaviness of Battletorn sometimes reminds me of RIB-era Slayer, or early Destruction. Only after seven songs is there a respite, during the spine-cracking "Reemerge" which features a death-doom intro Obituary would be proud of.

"Brain decayed long ago, nothing's left but rotting bone!" rants Beverly in the midtempo standout "Skull Rotted". The lyrics are generally well written and amusing, addressing such time-honored rock n' roll topics as death, love, blood and broken bones. It's a shame that Battletorn are now a two-piece with Omid taking over vocal duties, because the band was really onto something with this release.

All in all this is an amazing album, the kind you can let spin over and over again without getting tired of it. Although not billed as an EP, with 18 songs in 15 minutes, it may as well be. Short as it is, there are very few albums in this vein that are as intense (Earth A.D. jumps to mind). If you are in the market for some ruthless music, and don't HATE all things punk and hardcore, I would definitely recommend this album for purchase.