Reverse

First, a warning: I seem to be the only person that likes this album. So take my words with a grain of doubt.

Now to the review. Eldritch is a band that were playing very good and professional progressive Metal, which actually did earn the word Metal beside progressive. Note the word 'were'. This album can be hardly called progressive. The closest reference point I can give is Nevermore, although I think that Eldritch here are heavier. Nevermore are a good reference point since Eldritch also have here clean vocals with extremely heavy guitars.

Now when I say 'extremely heavy guitars', I mean it. The sound is extremely thick, lots of pick scratching going on, downtuning - you name it. And this is the point where people get disappointed about the album. Remember, they were progressive Metal. I don't think that many people from their fan base were ready to accept such a move. Imagine yourself Dream Theater adopting Nevermore-style riffing - there would be a great lament and outrage in the progressive Metal fans community, and that would be totally unrelated to the quality of the songs.

And I think this is the case here. The songs are extremely good, and like Nevermore, Eldritch never forget to place somewhere in the song a good and technical solo, but people are put off by the guitar sound and vocal effects and forget to listen to the songs themselves. I, for one, actually like more heavier guitar sound, and the new incarnation of Eldritch, but I seem to be the only one...

Now, I've mentioned Nevermore at least a couple of times. So now I have to explain the differences between 'Reverse' and 'Dead heart in a dead world'. First, Eldritch retained the keyboards. They are mostly in the background, but still they are there. Second, Eldritch ARE heavier, I don't think that I heard someone heavier with clean vocals. Third, Eldritch have some distinct guitar techniques that I don't remember hearing somewhere else, like some extremely angry pick scratching mixed with wild arpeggios and legato runs. Fourth, Eldritch have much more vocal effects - sometimes they fit, very rarely they don't.

So, I really recommend this album if you're into heavier Thrash Metal with good soloing and clean vocals. Again, if you like Nevermore, most probably you would like this one, although it is certainly not a copycat.

One letdown - although a major one is the cover of 'My Sharona'. I really can't stand it!

Highlights : Leftovers and crumbs, Bio-trinity, Sufferance Degree, Slavery On Line, Soul Shrinkage