Not Above Evil
We were recently sent through the album The Transcendental Signified from Manchester based, Not Above Evil courtesy of Skratch The Surface PR/Management. Always on the look out for new bands to feature, I figured this was an ideal opportunity to see what these guys had on offer. Having formed in 2009 and then releasing their debut album Deification in April of 2011, this new album from the melodic death metal group promises to propel the band into the spotlight – but what of the music?
Opening with Crossroads, immediately the music lures you in through a clean yet haunting guitar line before smashing you in the face with a hammering riff and some screeching vocals, immediately setting the bar not only high, but heavy! Kicking in fully to a speedy riff underpinned with a rolling drum line, the whole mix soon turns into a fast paced melee of screaming vocals, soaring guitar lines, thundering bass and hammering drums, somehow keeping everything melodic whilst at the same time insanely heavy. There are a lot of comparisons I could draw here to bands of a similar genre, but I don’t think it would be fair to draw comparison on this one, it’s got a stamp of uniqueness placed firmly over it meaning that whilst it might sound familiar at times, over all it’s new, exciting and fresh. Hammering through the track with differentiated time signatures and contrasting heavy to soft melodies, this is a hell of an opening track and introduction to a band, and we’re only on the first track of the album. The high point for me has to be the guitar solo midway through which seems to evolve out of elevating lead lines into a further dark element, completing the track as a whole.
Legion comes in at number 2 and continues pretty much where the last track left off. Opening with more of those hammering drums and fast pace guitars, this is a full on assault of your ear drums and one which will have you reaching for that volume up button. Unrelenting throughout, this track demonstrates the bands roots and influences with aplomb, creating a track which once again lures you in and doesn’t let you go until the second it comes to a close. What I really like about Legion as well is how the guitars seem to match the drums in that the riffs are as fast paced as the drumming, the combination means you listen harder and harder as the track progresses until you finally feel you understand it all, only for the band to once again throw something new at you so you once again have to focus – this is complex stuff when it’s broken down. As the track comes to a close and Capture The Dawn takes over though, you’re left with no doubt that whilst this is complex stuff, it’s there to be enjoyed! More of those hammering riffs greet you before hurling you into circle pit territory – I mean this is seriously heavy stuff yet still, it is melodic throughout. Much bigger in the sound this time around through the layers of vocals thrown in at times, this track confirms one thing in my mind – the live show these guys put on must be insane!
Against The Tides is another example of how melodic death metal can work as a genre when a band does it well, fading into being with a rolling double bass pedal and bassy riffs keeping you engaged and making you want to move along with the band. This track stands out for me as one which fully illustrates all of the abilities within the band as well as the influences – it’s fast, heavy, well performed but most of all, relentlessly heavy from start to finish. If I had to pick a favourite from the album then it would be this one for sure, awesome. As it comes to a close you’re treated to Nexus, a track which initially offers a brief respite from the heaviness you’ve been subjected to so far. Opening with a soft melodic guitar line (which believe me will catch you off guard if you’re not ready for it) before moving into a slow yet impressively dark section of riffs and lead lines, this track reminds me of the melodic tunings of the likes of Dark Tranquillity – there’s something about the combination of melodic backing music with screeching vocals over the top – and it works. This is another highlight on the album for me and one which I seriously recommend you check it, seriously accomplished stuff.
Death And Transformation follows on and once again returns you to the dark and heavy place where it all began – dirty sludgy riffs pummel you as hammering drums back the whole mix giving a real funky edge to proceedings. Another track which is bound to whip live crowds into a frenzy – this track seems to take everything which you’ve heard on the album so far and mash it into one song, the end result being another incredibly melodic track tinged with raw power and aggression, in short, a triumph. What’s really striking is just how well put together it really is, this is the sort of track you would expect to hear from a far more well known band , something which is testament to the road which these guys are on right now. As The Curtain Falls seems to be here just to confirm the decision already made, that this is a band who have got a hell of a future. Another funk tinged melee of hammering guitars, soaring bass lines, screeching vocals and pounding drums which is sure to destroy live venues – this is metal for the live scene.
Closing the album is The Duel, another track which opens softly and serves to sooth all of the raw heaviness which has come before it. Soaring guitar lines lead the way into the track over a soft acoustic line, the whole mix forming a reflective mix which you could quite easily imagine finishing off a live show. Not slowing down for long, once again you’re soon thrown into the pit to fend for yourself, the band continuing to hammer you with riff after riff, making sure there’s no hold up in the power emanating from the music. As an album finisher I think this track does the job perfectly, another one which is testament to the bands ability to craft a hell of a track which doesn’t necessarily follow the conventions you expect, but offers you something new and exciting instead.
Melodic Death Metal is one of those genres which can often divide opinions amongst those who listen to it, sometimes going past the melodic point and sometimes taking it too far meaning it’s too soft. What Not Above Evil have done though is take the genre and make it their own, creating an album which isn’t a simple collection of tracks, but a journey. There are so many influences here within the music which grab you and pull you in, but the whole time the band stamp their own take firmly upon it, meaning that whilst you can link them to their peers, most of the time what you’re hearing is unique and fresh. As an album, this is a hell of an achievement and something which I think is going to serve these guys well from here in, I for one will be keeping a close eye on them to see what comes next!
To find out more about Not Above Evil, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Opening with Crossroads, immediately the music lures you in through a clean yet haunting guitar line before smashing you in the face with a hammering riff and some screeching vocals, immediately setting the bar not only high, but heavy! Kicking in fully to a speedy riff underpinned with a rolling drum line, the whole mix soon turns into a fast paced melee of screaming vocals, soaring guitar lines, thundering bass and hammering drums, somehow keeping everything melodic whilst at the same time insanely heavy. There are a lot of comparisons I could draw here to bands of a similar genre, but I don’t think it would be fair to draw comparison on this one, it’s got a stamp of uniqueness placed firmly over it meaning that whilst it might sound familiar at times, over all it’s new, exciting and fresh. Hammering through the track with differentiated time signatures and contrasting heavy to soft melodies, this is a hell of an opening track and introduction to a band, and we’re only on the first track of the album. The high point for me has to be the guitar solo midway through which seems to evolve out of elevating lead lines into a further dark element, completing the track as a whole.
Legion comes in at number 2 and continues pretty much where the last track left off. Opening with more of those hammering drums and fast pace guitars, this is a full on assault of your ear drums and one which will have you reaching for that volume up button. Unrelenting throughout, this track demonstrates the bands roots and influences with aplomb, creating a track which once again lures you in and doesn’t let you go until the second it comes to a close. What I really like about Legion as well is how the guitars seem to match the drums in that the riffs are as fast paced as the drumming, the combination means you listen harder and harder as the track progresses until you finally feel you understand it all, only for the band to once again throw something new at you so you once again have to focus – this is complex stuff when it’s broken down. As the track comes to a close and Capture The Dawn takes over though, you’re left with no doubt that whilst this is complex stuff, it’s there to be enjoyed! More of those hammering riffs greet you before hurling you into circle pit territory – I mean this is seriously heavy stuff yet still, it is melodic throughout. Much bigger in the sound this time around through the layers of vocals thrown in at times, this track confirms one thing in my mind – the live show these guys put on must be insane!
Against The Tides is another example of how melodic death metal can work as a genre when a band does it well, fading into being with a rolling double bass pedal and bassy riffs keeping you engaged and making you want to move along with the band. This track stands out for me as one which fully illustrates all of the abilities within the band as well as the influences – it’s fast, heavy, well performed but most of all, relentlessly heavy from start to finish. If I had to pick a favourite from the album then it would be this one for sure, awesome. As it comes to a close you’re treated to Nexus, a track which initially offers a brief respite from the heaviness you’ve been subjected to so far. Opening with a soft melodic guitar line (which believe me will catch you off guard if you’re not ready for it) before moving into a slow yet impressively dark section of riffs and lead lines, this track reminds me of the melodic tunings of the likes of Dark Tranquillity – there’s something about the combination of melodic backing music with screeching vocals over the top – and it works. This is another highlight on the album for me and one which I seriously recommend you check it, seriously accomplished stuff.
Death And Transformation follows on and once again returns you to the dark and heavy place where it all began – dirty sludgy riffs pummel you as hammering drums back the whole mix giving a real funky edge to proceedings. Another track which is bound to whip live crowds into a frenzy – this track seems to take everything which you’ve heard on the album so far and mash it into one song, the end result being another incredibly melodic track tinged with raw power and aggression, in short, a triumph. What’s really striking is just how well put together it really is, this is the sort of track you would expect to hear from a far more well known band , something which is testament to the road which these guys are on right now. As The Curtain Falls seems to be here just to confirm the decision already made, that this is a band who have got a hell of a future. Another funk tinged melee of hammering guitars, soaring bass lines, screeching vocals and pounding drums which is sure to destroy live venues – this is metal for the live scene.
Closing the album is The Duel, another track which opens softly and serves to sooth all of the raw heaviness which has come before it. Soaring guitar lines lead the way into the track over a soft acoustic line, the whole mix forming a reflective mix which you could quite easily imagine finishing off a live show. Not slowing down for long, once again you’re soon thrown into the pit to fend for yourself, the band continuing to hammer you with riff after riff, making sure there’s no hold up in the power emanating from the music. As an album finisher I think this track does the job perfectly, another one which is testament to the bands ability to craft a hell of a track which doesn’t necessarily follow the conventions you expect, but offers you something new and exciting instead.
Melodic Death Metal is one of those genres which can often divide opinions amongst those who listen to it, sometimes going past the melodic point and sometimes taking it too far meaning it’s too soft. What Not Above Evil have done though is take the genre and make it their own, creating an album which isn’t a simple collection of tracks, but a journey. There are so many influences here within the music which grab you and pull you in, but the whole time the band stamp their own take firmly upon it, meaning that whilst you can link them to their peers, most of the time what you’re hearing is unique and fresh. As an album, this is a hell of an achievement and something which I think is going to serve these guys well from here in, I for one will be keeping a close eye on them to see what comes next!
To find out more about Not Above Evil, check out their Facebook page HERE.
