Ignominious Incarceration – Of Winter Born
British melodic death metal band Ignominious Incarceration has quickly ascended the ranks, going from playing club shows in front of a few dozen fans to touring alongside Bring Me The Horizon and Trigger The Bloodshed almost overnight. This publicity makes the band’s debut album, Of Winter Born, highly anticipated amongst the underground metal scene. Ignominious Incarceration does not disappoint, crafting a sharp and aggressive album that elevates it past the generic sea of copycats, but lacking that extra edge to allow it to stand toe-to-toe with the heavyweights of the genre.
Of Winter Born is a fast-paced album, scorching through ten tracks in about thirty-five minutes. Not a moment is wasted, as the band takes the basic melodic death metal formula, adds a modern touch, and packages it up to be easily digestible. The songs are catchy and short, with only closer “Elusion Of Mortality” breaking the four minute mark. This approach to songwriting works wonders for the band, giving each song just enough time to make its point.
What Of Winter Born accomplishes that most debut albums fail to is the ability to leave an impression on the listener. Finding hooks and catchy sections in death metal can be a tough task, but Ignominious Incarceration succeeds with flying colors. After multiple listens, certain vocal lines and choruses, most notably in “Elegance In Aggression,” the title track, and “Solitude,” will resonate back with the listener, a sign of a quality album.
While vocalist Andy Wardle mainly sticks with a combination of a piercing scream and harsh growls, they are easily recognizable. Guitarists Steve Brown and Danny Guy have a solid chemistry, harmonizing with each other and keeping the proceedings interesting. The solos could use some work, as they get the melodic element down pat, but don’t add much to the album. The rhythm section is steady, and the musicians know their instruments well, but don’t leave a major impression in the long run.
As a debut album, Of Winter Born gets the job done, providing melodic death metal fans with an enjoyable ride that is over too quickly. The production, done by Scott Atkins of Sylosis and Gama Bomb fame, is punchy and clear. The only knock against Of Winter Born is the repetition in the second half. Ignominious Incarceration has the tools to rise to the top of the genre; all the band needs is a little more time and progression before being on the same pedestal as the top players in melodic death metal.
Rating: 7.5/10
Label: Earache Records
Web Site: http://www.myspace.com/ignominiousincarceration
By Dan Marsicano
(+20 rating, 4 votes)
been looking forward to this
I agree completely with this review. It is a really good album but they had so much potential, it could have been perfect. We’ll just have to hope when they release the follow up in a few years it will be better.
Enjoyed this album quite a bit. Melo Death is a genre being flooded with sub par Hot Topic inspired clones. Even genre godfathers In Flames have taken a more commercial appeal, so any new blood is a great thing. That said I would have to agree about this being over to fast!
Just when I was beginning to really get a feel for the band the album was nearly ended. That said what you do get is above average Melo Death. The fast pace of the album allows for a great deal of superb dual guitar riffage, though as noted solo’s on this album are a bit weak.
The vocals are good, pretty much what you expect from a Melo Death group, harsh, loud.. But audible. The drums and bass both flow well with the music but never really captured my interest nor stood out a great deal. All in all this will be an interesting band to see where they go in the future and what heights they reach. Bout time we get some good Melo Death bands emerging.
8.5/10