Music: Death Metal
Country: U.S.A.
Web site: www.martyred.org
Cool Songs: Engineering Lethality, Exemplifying Their Defeat, Unethical Cleansing
MARTYRED is a promising young death band from Austin, Texas that includes members of HYPERION, HOD and MORTALITY. They play a swift and brutal brand of death metal that touches upon the classic and modern. Although they seem to have ripped a few bloody morsels from classic death bands such as IMMOLATION, DEICIDE, and CANNIBAL CORPSE, modern death/black metal acts such as BELPHEGOR and BEHEMOTH also appear to be of some influence. This abhorrent foursome may reveal inspiration from common sources, but they meticulousnesly tie each part together, in turn conveying a fresh product.
Their four-song EP Exemplifying Their Defeat relates an exceptional amount of professionalism for an initial, studio effort, especially considering the youthfulness of the group. Jeremy Parkers cover art depicts a swirling chaos, a fitting theme for the apocalyptic carnage detailed in guitarist Mikes lyrics. Bands that push the limits of speed and heaviness like MARTYRED often end up with muddy productions. That is not the case with this recording. MARTYREDs self-production shows they know their way around a production table. Of course, sending the album to Hansen Studios in Denmark for mixing and mastering proved a wise move.
As stated before, Martyred took a few lessons from the death metal establishment. One trick of the trade is utilizing horror movie samples. MORTICIAN became famous for interjecting their gory grinds with audio samples of cult horror flicks. Engineered Lethality ushers in the mayhem with the scene from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre that dynamically shifts the movie's action. The clip they used features the old amputee striking the floor with his cane to summon Leather Face. Eric Park, better known for destroying skins in DEVOURMENT, pulls off a barrage of drum rolls to break in the music. Kriegs guttural howl accompanies Erics frenzied drum crusade. Near the end of the track, Mikes higher pitch shrieks and Kriegs growls combine in demonic cacophony. Overall, the vocals are quite strong. Krieg has a guttural approach, but is words materialize with a few listens and a lyric sheet. Mike provides a higher vocal tone, which is often used during the higher-toned, blackish parts.
Lacking guitar solos, Exemplifying Their Defeat is not an overtly technical album. However, the group does display a good amount of technical prowess in their ability to handle tempo changes. Also, they grind out many memorable parts. Some of the riffs are memorable in the way of an embolism, once it gets in your brain you cant help but notice. Some of these parts come during their IMMOLATION-like breaks during Anguish of the Unborn and the title tracks. Even though their dynamics are slight, the changing highs and lows intensify passages and keep the music interesting. A slam-style slow down during Unethical Cleansing brings a nice change of pace.
Exemplifying Their Defeat is an excellent start for an upstart band. Considering the amount of talent MARTYRED possesses, youth is definitely on their side. Future releases will most likely reflect their growth as musicians. Although a new face graces their drum kit (Dennis Sanders of HOD and MORTALITY), he has not shown any hint of slowing down the band. Also, a few wicked whammy solos or warped string bends could add a touch of atmosphere. The other drawback to this album is the brevity. It clocks in at a mere fourteen minutes and change. Its like giving a cannibal a hand to gnaw on when a juicy butt steak remains on the butchers block. Again, this is a minor flaw that should be modified in the dark days ahead. Expect to hear much more from this band!
note: 7/10
Tracklist
1. Engineered Lethality
2. Exemplifying Their Defeat
3. Anguish of The Unborn
4. Unethical Cleansing
Total Playing Time: 14:06
Line-up
Current Lineup:
Mike – Guitar, Vocals
Dennis Sanders – Drums
Eric- Bass
Krieg – Vocals
On this Recording:
Eric Park-Drums
Nathan-Bass
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