Forsaken – Traces of the past
Author: Alex Schrock
If you take Covenant era Morbid Angel, old Arch Enemy, Death, and Slayer, give it to some very talented thrash musicians, and let TommyTartgren produce it, you get one of the most excellently written and produced death/thrash albums of 2004, not to mention some of the best artwork I’ve ever seen for an album.
The Forsaken put themselves far above the Swedish scene by using cliches like solos and blast beats only when needed to build on to the fierceness of the song, and only using the “Gothenburg” style riffs where they wish to put a moment of beautiul despair, before giving way to a menacing thrash attack. While the vocals aren’t anything you haven’t heard before, they fit the music perfectly.
As for the extra tracks on this CD, I would have to say that these are some good cover songs. I personally love hearing old Metallica done with a new level of intensity and good production. Blackened with blast beats, fuzzy bass and death screams/growls? Hell yes. The Slayer and Grave covers are pretty good too, but don’t have the same magic as the Metallica covers, which are pure gold.
Rating: 9/10
Out now on Century Media records.
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