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Bulletbelt - Single Review: Faster Than Death

07 Aug 2018 // A review by butch181

Their first release since their line-up change and the departure of vocalist Jolene Tempest, Faster Than Death, features the recording debut of new singer Scott Spatcher-Harrison and lead guitarist Josh O'Brien. With these changes, comes a slight change in sound, most noticeably in the vocals, switching from the higher range abrasive style that Tempest was known for, to Spatcher-Harrison naturally low, deep, rolling growls.

What hasn’t changed though, is Bulletbelt’s tight, polished sound. Combining the relentless and consistent high pace intensity of Steve Francis’ drumming, with the powerful, galloping guitars, there is a definite sense of movement and pace. The speed, energy and canter of the track worms its way into your bones with each listen; Faster Than Death is appropriately named and has all the components necessary to encourage ferocity in the pits live.

Bulletbelt has a great balance of dark, gritty vocals and rhythm guitar, with clean lead guitar and drums, and it creates a refreshing and dynamic aural sensation. It makes you want to move, to run, to go faster. And it gets better with every listen.

Accompanying the single is the music video. Directed by Amber Beaton, the video mirrors the track in that it is simultaneously dark, but crisp. Not as hectic and frantic as Cloak The Night, Faster Than Death has high definition, close up shots that illustrate how tight their performance is. A simple performance-based video that merges a collection of performance shots with “story” based shots featuring the new vocalist Spatcher-Harrison. Colour grading in the video has almost reduced the video to black and white, like the colour leaving the body in death. Simple, but poignant.


Review written by Alex Moulton


 

About Bulletbelt

There are two types of metal bands in the world today: those who innovate and those who are content to merely imitate. Bulletbelt have risen above the hordes of imitators to firmly establish themselves as innovators, successfully straddling the divide between thrash and black metal.

This five-piece from Wellington, New Zealand, have proven themselves time and again amongst their peers. Since forming in 2009, nationwide tours, including alongside Goatwhore (US) and Impiety (Singapore) on the Underground Legions tour of New Zealand, and supporting The Black Dahlia Murder (US) and Bolzer (Switzerland), have shown that they can rival any international metal band with their intense and energetic live performances.

Their 2010 EP The Black Army Stands smashed expectations and showcased the band to an unsuspecting world, while 2011’s Writhe and Ascend cemented their reputation for unforgiving, primal metal. The forthcoming album, 2012’s Down In The Cold Of The Grave, described by the band as their proudest moment, will see the band continue to hone their craft and challenge their collective musical boundaries.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Bulletbelt

Releases

Burn It Up
Year: 2023
Type: Album
Warlords
Year: 2020
Type: Album
Faster Than Death
Year: 2018
Type: EP
Nine Centuries
Year: 2017
Type: Album
Rise Of The Banshee
Year: 2014
Type: Album
Down In The Cold Of The Grave
Year: 2013
Type: Album
Live And Ascend
Year: 2012
Type: EP
Writhe And Ascend
Year: 2011
Type: EP
The Black Army Stands
Year: 2010
Type: EP

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