Part of the new wave of thrash shows early Metallica brilliance
Thrash has begun its comeback into the metal world with a wave new of bands of varying quality. Already we have seen it done with the classically raw Evile and the alcoholically over-partied Municipal Waste, along with countless other bands who are trying to bring back the sound that sent metal into the history books back in the early 80s, all thanks to the big four of thrash, Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth. Metallica was no doubt the most popular of the four, and it is only to be expected that a lot of bands try to replicate their glory by trying to sound like them. Normally this would be something I would look down upon, but Exit To Eternity has hit the right balance with their debut album Coming Down.
Exit To Eternity are primarily an instrumental band, which is obvious not only in the brilliant musicianship that is showed on the album, but also because of the long instrumental passages with an absence of vocals. The guitar, drum and bass are all very similar to Metallica, although I must admit that they don't have any riffs as brilliant as those found in Metallica's Master Of Puppets or Enter Sandman. But it is still solid music that has a strong melody, and the inclusion of acoustic interludes flourished throughout the album only strengthens this.
The Coming may have only seven tracks on it, but more than one of these tracks extends the seven minute mark. Opening track Requiem is a short, sorrowful piano intro that abruptly explodes to the speedy guitar virtuosity of the title track. Misery is bound to be the favourite amongst most listeners, and I'm sure it will be a classic song in the genre given a bit of recognition. The song is an epic, complete with memorable lyrics, plenty of solos and amazing riffs for guitar enthusiasts, a couple of instrumental passages and an acoustic outro that will make you cry, as you begin to realize that these guys could be the new Metallica, and the song you just heard would have sat perfectly on Metallica's debut Kill 'Em All. No More is an instrumental epic that shows off the bands guitar virtuosity, and the most interesting track on the album is concluder Justice Under God, which is primarily acoustic, and the vocals even take a different turn as they wail and soar in a power metal way.
Exit To Eternity have not written a new page in history with their new album, but they have added another chapter to an existing page. Many die-hard Metallica and thrash fans will criticise my appraisal of this band, especially when I say that what they are doing is almost, hence that term almost, as brilliant as what Metallica did in the early 80s. But the results on Coming Down speak for themselves, so I say bring on the new wave of thrash if the old wave isn't churning out the quality that they have set a standard for.
(Independent)
