BATTLELUST

"Of Battle and Ancient Warcraft" (Pavement; 1998)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

With the speed and rage of Slayer, Battlelust rips through the ten songs on this CD with an intensity that will send the listener reeling. Drums that sound more like machinegun fire than musical instruments mix with guitar shredding that has just got to be painful. And the whole thing is topped off by vocals that sound as much like the screams of a tortured victim as heavy metal singing. Battlelust plays with a fervor that threatens to spin out of control any moment but just manages to stay within the confines of the band's songwriting.

It takes more than speed to make a great record, though and Battlelust's CD - while certainly listenable - winds up sounding more like just one album-length song. A little change of tempo here and there wouldn't hurt.

Battlelust: Baron De Samedi, drums; guitars, bass and keyboards. Taetchrist, guitars and bass.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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Copyright © 1998 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 15 Apr 2024 14:51:32 -0400 .