Beastwars - Album Review: The Death Of All Things
There’s a real primal feel to the new Beastwars album, The Death Of All Things. Beastwars cut their own sonic path again and this release follows in the footsteps of their previous albums, both of which rated well in the New Zealand album charts. The Death Of All Things is sure to gain the four-piece Wellington band even more critical acclaim and devoted fans both here and abroad.
Sounding a bit similar to Kings Destroy and often-referenced Kyuss, Beastwars also explores a Neurosis-like style throughout the album. Stonking riffs and ground-shaking rhythms will put you into a head-banging trance but things are even slower and moodier than their first two albums, with longer track times giving you more meat to sink your teeth into.
Call To The Mountain kicks things off with some Southern groove sounding metal that’s sure to please. James Woods’ mighty bass opens Devils Of Last Night and there’s a ‘Bullet The Blue Sky’ feel to this track in the quieter moments. Although generally sticking to the tried and true three-chord progression, Some Sell Their Souls has a masterful wall of sound at the end that makes it the pick of the litter.
Slowing things down a bit, the super earthy guitar tone and impressive low end of Witches is sure to charm. Not to be outdone, Clayton Anderson‘s augmented chord progressions in Black Days makes this track standout for all the right reasons. Holy Man is another good example of the bands mastery of many sub-genres with the down under sludge flavour of Disappear being particularly tasty.
As interludes go, The Devil Took Her is an excellent one with pristine acoustic guitar and violin perfectly complimenting Matt Hyde’s medieval-sounding vocals. Clearly Beastwars has the musical scope to deliver on more than just straightforward metal. Also displaying many of the bands strengths the self-titled track, The Death of All Things, closes out the album on a good note.
It’s not all beer and skittles though. Certain songs could have benefited from some multi-tracked guitars in the breakdowns and Nathan Hickey’s powerful drumming is inhibited by a touch too much reverb on the cymbals. Unusual mixing techniques don’t always work, but overall this is a well-recorded album that captures the bands solid and gritty performances perfectly.
The Death Of All Things continues Beastwars’ fine tradition of slaying your eardrums with some of the best stoner metal around.
3/5
About Beastwars
Two years on from their internationally acclaimed, self-titled debut, Beastwars return on 20 April 2013 with Blood Becomes Fire. The new album serves witness to the end of days, told through the eyes of a dying traveler from another time. It is a work inspired by eternal themes. "It's a reflection on mortality, death and disease. Sooner or later they come for all of us and we've all screamed to the gods for answers, not that they've ever come."
On Blood Becomes Fire Beastwars hammer the story home with concussive force. "It’s a heavy album, both sonically and lyrically, but what solidifies it are the really triumphant 'fuck yeah' riffs. To us, this music is like getting psyched up to go into battle. You could be at war with someone else or yourself.”
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Beastwars
Releases
Other Reviews By River Tucker
Parasitic Infestation - EP Review: Promo EP
21 Apr 2024 // by River Tucker
If you’re looking for some great metal music, you’ve come to the right place. Hardworking up-and-coming band Parasitic Infestation, who specialise in Brutal Death Metal, are set to make your ears bleed with their latest promo release, consisting of three deliciously heavy songs (plus bonus tracks) that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
Read More...
Album Review: The Death Spell
12 Dec 2023 // by River Tucker
There’s a real whisky drinking, bare knuckle fighting edge to the self-titled debut album by The Death Spell, kicking off with Nail You Higher Than Before. Obviously, song lyrics are in your face on this track, especially for any Christians in the audience, but you couldn’t ask for a better intro to the musical style of this Auckland-based band.
Read More...
Beastwars - Gig Review: Reign of the Beast @ Whanganui Musicians Club, Whanganui - 13/10/2023
15 Oct 2023 // by River Tucker
If you're into metal music, the Musicians Club in Whanganui was the place to be last Friday night for a feast of auditory delights to satisfy even the hungriest of souls. Brought to you by Lost Art and Panhead beer, Beastwars and Shepherds Reign headlined an epic concert that was set to bring the house down on the first leg of their not-to-be-missed Reign of the Beast tour.
Read More...
End of an Empire - Album Review: Best Laid Plans
25 Sep 2023 // by River Tucker
It’s been a couple of years since End of an Empire released their favourably reviewed debut album, Within, Without in 2020. Since then, the Wellington-based four-piece have obviously put their time to good use by writing Best Laid Plans, which is arguably one of the finest Hardcore releases to come out of New Zealand this year.
Read More...
The Rising Tide - Gig Review: Inferno - Youth Rock & Metal @ The Stomach, Palmerston North - 5/08/2023
07 Aug 2023 // by River Tucker
It’s not often that you get treated to a mid-winter concert where nearly every metal genre is being performed. But that’s exactly what happened at The Stomach in Palmerston North last Saturday night where four bands gave it their all in a rip-roaring all-ages show that will undoubtedly leave the hundred or so people who attended with lasting impressions.
Read More...
Mammuthus - Album Review: Imperator
18 Jun 2023 // by River Tucker
If you like your stoner metal super-sized and embellished with a nice touch of doom, then Mammuthus’ latest release, Imperator, is definitely the album for you. Seven tracks of deliciously down-tuned, guitar-driven heaviness smash into your eardrums like a well-oiled and relentless steam train.
Read More...
1 Drop Nation - Single Review: I'm Home
08 May 2023 // by River Tucker
When it comes to reggae music 1 Drop Nation's latest single, I'm Home, hits all the right notes. Soulful melodies, tight rhythms, and on-point vocals impart a feel-good vibe that will get you chilling or up and dancing, whatever mood you're in.
Read More...
Gig Review: Devilskin @ The Royal, Palmerston North - 28/04/2023
30 Apr 2023 // by River Tucker
It was well worth getting in early to catch Devilskin’s exclusive VIP performance at The Royal in Palmerston North last Friday night. Following on from a successful show at Homegrown, Devilskin has embarked on their much-anticipated nationwide Let Me Breathe tour, brought to you by The Rock, after a short hiatus that, if anything, has made their current shows all the more sweet.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- FORTNIGHT
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone - TOO SWEET
Hozier - DOWN BAD
Taylor Swift - THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT
Taylor Swift - SO LONG, LONDON
Taylor Swift - I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART
Taylor Swift - MY BOY ONLY BREAKS HIS FAVORITE TOYS
Taylor Swift - BUT DADDY I LOVE HIM
Taylor Swift - FLORIDA!!!
Taylor Swift feat. Florence And The Machine - WHO'S AFRAID OF LITTLE OLD ME?
Taylor Swift
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
