Soulburner

Gardenian

Nuclear Blast Records, 2000

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardenian

REVIEW BY: Paul Hanson

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 10/28/1999

Gardenian burst out of your speakers furious at the world. Combining occasional blast beats on the snare drum and an outstandingly heavy riff in opening track "As a True King," Gardenian comes across as sounding familiar, but not in a way that annoys. I have just about had my fill of the death metal vocal style so I was not impressed with the first song on their latest release my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250 Soulburner. Digging deeper into the CD, though, yields some impressive songs.

Consider the slow ballad "If Tomorrow's Gone." Starting with an erie guitar riff, the band comes in with some some heavy riffing. The vocals are as clear and the guitar provides a strong foundation over which the vocals spin a sad tale of loss. About halfway through the song, though, as a contrast in style, the death vocal style comes in, complete with airy background vocals and impressive double bass work. Without turning into a run-of-the-mill death band, Gardenian cover the familiar ground, creating sound textures that eventually lead to a return to the main lyrics of the song: "If tomorrow's gone/ I would feel no comfort/ If tomorrow's gone/ I would stop feeling so lonely."

Track seven "Chaos In Flesh" is sure to appeal to those wanting their metal thick and heavy. With some acrobatic drumming, including an ever present double bass syncopated pattern, Gardenian riff their way through some heavy material.

In essence, then, Gardenian is a mixed bag. You get some death metal but you also get some crystal clear vocals in the mix. Bringing in some remorse in the lyrics add an element to this band that other death bands, like Centinex, are not employing. Centinex's recent Bloodhunt CD, on Repulse Records, is pure, fast death metal in the vein of Slayer. There's no depth to the band's lyrics, just a lot of growling. With bands like Centinex, I find it hard to appreciate more than the double bass blasting throbbing through my ears.

Gardenian, therefore, take listening pleasure up a notch.

Rating: A-

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© 1999 Paul Hanson and The Daily Vault. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Nuclear Blast Records, and is used for informational purposes only.