A year after their debut on Victory Records, Canada’s A
Perfect Murder released their follow up titled “Strength Through Vengeance”. Their
previous album, “Unbroken” saw the band play a traditional sounding metalcore sound
popular around that time, but spiced things up with an extra infusion of groove
metal that channeled their inner Pantera influence. “Strength Through Vengeance”
would see the blend of metalcore and groove continue, but the band would add
even more depth to their sound.
The duel guitar approached was a success on “Unbroken”, but
their tandem abilities really shine on this album. The first addition to their
sound comes from the leads. Although “Strength Through Vengeance” still dwell
within the chugging Pantera grooves, there are now plenty of thrash sounding
riffs to be heard as well. The riffs remind me a lot of Trivium’s “The Crusade”
another metalcore album that was given a high octane thrash infusion as well as
Machine Head’s “The Balckening”. This time around, the band is able to cycle between
thick and groovy riffs, while also unleashing a quicker, more aggressive riffs
effortlessly that, in my opinion, sounds a lot more heavy metal, than most
metalcore acts. The rhythms are another area where the band fine-tuned their
sound. Once again, they offer some nice displays of technicality and melodic passages
throughout the album, but on this album, they create a much more harmonious atmosphere
with the leads. The solos are also turned up a notch on “Strength Through Vengeance”
as there are some serious thrash segments to be heard on this album. Plenty of
catchiness from hooks, to leads to solos will enter your ears throughout the
album.
I’ve mentioned Pantera enough already, but one simply cannot
ignore the similarities Carl Bouchard vocals have to that of Phil Anselmo. Combined
with many of the chugging grooves on some of the songs, you would think you were
listening to the minor league version of Pantera, which is by no means an
insult. That being said, the Jamey Jasta, Hatebreed influenced is still heard in
his voice as well, particularly when he belts out some of his harsh yells, which
keep his sound rooted in the core scene.
The drumming is another area that has been bolstered. Not
that they were lackluster by any means on “Unbroken”, but on “Strength Through
Vengeance” they add much more to the rhythm section with a very thrashesque
sound, but never losing their metalcore roots in process. This results in a
heavy, pulsating tone set by the drums, which on their own, could drive most of
the songs forward, but fortunately, all the instruments harmonize very nicely
as to drive the music forward as a team. The only let down for me and I tread
lightly here, would be the bass. The bass, once again, tends to get lost in the
background most of the time, but I will attest that after listening to both
albums, the lack of bass does not take away from either album’s success. That
being said, it would have been interesting to hear what the bass may have added
to these albums. Given their thrashy and groovy nature, an extra punch of bass
may have added an additional layer to their sound for the better.
At the end of the day, I felt “Strength Through Vengeance”
surpasses their predecessor with the additional sounds added and the polish
slapped onto their musicianship. This may be metalcore to its bones, which I
know many metalheads tend to shy away from, but A Perfect Murder offer more
than your standard metalcore sound. “Strength Through Vengeance” would be a
nice listen for any fans of Pantera, Machine Head or Trivium, but also any
thrash enthusiast who isn’t afraid to have one foot in a world not often
accepted.
Highlights: “Deceit of Man” “Slay the Masses” “Strength Through
Vengeance”
Rating: 3.5
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