Project Pain - I Have Sinned Album
Old school thrash metal is something which very few bands can pull off, all too often roving into different genres and ending up with a sound which is a bit of a mess and all a bit of a jumble – but luckily there is still one force out there doing it damned well. I’ve made no secret of my love for Project Pain, and so when they got in touch about their latest album, I Have Sinned, I was eager to check out what was on offer. Having finally sorted out their line up once and for all, this is a band that the world needs to hear, a band that can hammer out metal tracks and leave you wondering what the hell just happened, but knowing it was good! I hit play to see what was going on.
As soon as False Prophet gets going it’s clear that Project Pain have been working damned hard, opening as they mean to go on with a thrash metal approach powerful enough to leave you quaking at the knees. Fast paced, distorted and full to the brim with hard hitting guitar lines and pounding drum lines, this is the sound that Metallica should be going for – and PP are doing it damned well! Throw in a solo of epic proportions and quite simply, this is one hell of a track – and it’s only the first one on the album! Luckily, Retribution continues the approach of the guys and once again demonstrates that there’s power over in them there Netherlands just waiting to be discovered. Raspy guitars combine with a rumbling bassline, the drums rolling around all over the place and the vocals once again adopting that urgent almost spat approach – this isn’t for the feint hearted, but my word it’s good to hear! Powerful, melodic, hard hitting and straight down the line metal, the success of this album seems to be continuing!
W.O.D. comes up next and once again slams you in the face with a Slayer-esque melee of hammering guitar lines, rolling drums and pummelling bass lines. This is the sort of track which is perfectly crafted for the live scene, offering up a rhythm that’s going to get people moving, a sound which is going to get people involved and enough power to leave the venue as nothing but dust. It’s striking how refined the sound is despite the all out distorted approach to things, every single element can be heard throughout, something which is all too often lost in the mix. Next up on the album we arrive at I Have Sinned (see below for my thoughts on this one) which still sounds as fresh and heavy as the first time I heard it, fitting perfectly into the progression of the album and continuing to keep those pits circling around the stage. Thrashopolis and Canister continue the pumping heavy theme of the album, each track offering us an insight into the musical ability within the band rather than simply hitting that reverb pedal and hammering away.
It’s when Embrace Death comes about that the true power of the band is realised though, throwing into a rolling drum line from the off and showing that if you’re looking for a band that’s going to leave your ears ringing, your limbs shaking and your mind mush, then this could be them! Roaring through the track at break-neck speed, this is another live anthem in the waiting and the sort of track which is going to confirm these guys a slot as a band that needs to be seen to be believed. Hatred and House Of Pain show further evidence of this, each track hammering home the bands message and leaving you wondering why it is you’ve not gotten out to see these guys, or why they’ve not come to the UK to tour yet! Sadly then, it’s only Silent But Deadly remaining to close things, but what a closing! Opening with a hammering guitar line underpinned with an intricate lead line, hammering drum line and pounding bass backing, it’s hard to imagine how on earth they can play at this pace! Fast, powerful and ridiculously well put together, this may be the end of the album, but this is just the beginning for Project Pain, believe me when I say you’ll be left wanting more.
As I said earlier, I like Project Pain and admire their dedication to making music that they want to make, always working to better their sound and ensure they’re producing the best they can. One other thing that’s really stunned me though is how nice a group of guys they are, and how much they’ve supported the site since setting it up. Now I don’t want people to think that I’m biased because of that, as if this album was shit, I’d say it was – but quite simply, it’s the complete opposite. What you’ve got here is a thrash metal album which is going bring thrash back to the glory days, show that there’s bands out there still doing it well, and show that Holland could be the new Bay Area.
What’s left to say other than please guys, get recording the follow up, and get a hard copy of this one in the post to me!
To find out more about Project Pain, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
As soon as False Prophet gets going it’s clear that Project Pain have been working damned hard, opening as they mean to go on with a thrash metal approach powerful enough to leave you quaking at the knees. Fast paced, distorted and full to the brim with hard hitting guitar lines and pounding drum lines, this is the sound that Metallica should be going for – and PP are doing it damned well! Throw in a solo of epic proportions and quite simply, this is one hell of a track – and it’s only the first one on the album! Luckily, Retribution continues the approach of the guys and once again demonstrates that there’s power over in them there Netherlands just waiting to be discovered. Raspy guitars combine with a rumbling bassline, the drums rolling around all over the place and the vocals once again adopting that urgent almost spat approach – this isn’t for the feint hearted, but my word it’s good to hear! Powerful, melodic, hard hitting and straight down the line metal, the success of this album seems to be continuing!
W.O.D. comes up next and once again slams you in the face with a Slayer-esque melee of hammering guitar lines, rolling drums and pummelling bass lines. This is the sort of track which is perfectly crafted for the live scene, offering up a rhythm that’s going to get people moving, a sound which is going to get people involved and enough power to leave the venue as nothing but dust. It’s striking how refined the sound is despite the all out distorted approach to things, every single element can be heard throughout, something which is all too often lost in the mix. Next up on the album we arrive at I Have Sinned (see below for my thoughts on this one) which still sounds as fresh and heavy as the first time I heard it, fitting perfectly into the progression of the album and continuing to keep those pits circling around the stage. Thrashopolis and Canister continue the pumping heavy theme of the album, each track offering us an insight into the musical ability within the band rather than simply hitting that reverb pedal and hammering away.
It’s when Embrace Death comes about that the true power of the band is realised though, throwing into a rolling drum line from the off and showing that if you’re looking for a band that’s going to leave your ears ringing, your limbs shaking and your mind mush, then this could be them! Roaring through the track at break-neck speed, this is another live anthem in the waiting and the sort of track which is going to confirm these guys a slot as a band that needs to be seen to be believed. Hatred and House Of Pain show further evidence of this, each track hammering home the bands message and leaving you wondering why it is you’ve not gotten out to see these guys, or why they’ve not come to the UK to tour yet! Sadly then, it’s only Silent But Deadly remaining to close things, but what a closing! Opening with a hammering guitar line underpinned with an intricate lead line, hammering drum line and pounding bass backing, it’s hard to imagine how on earth they can play at this pace! Fast, powerful and ridiculously well put together, this may be the end of the album, but this is just the beginning for Project Pain, believe me when I say you’ll be left wanting more.
As I said earlier, I like Project Pain and admire their dedication to making music that they want to make, always working to better their sound and ensure they’re producing the best they can. One other thing that’s really stunned me though is how nice a group of guys they are, and how much they’ve supported the site since setting it up. Now I don’t want people to think that I’m biased because of that, as if this album was shit, I’d say it was – but quite simply, it’s the complete opposite. What you’ve got here is a thrash metal album which is going bring thrash back to the glory days, show that there’s bands out there still doing it well, and show that Holland could be the new Bay Area.
What’s left to say other than please guys, get recording the follow up, and get a hard copy of this one in the post to me!
To find out more about Project Pain, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Project Pain - I Have Sinned
Dutch band Project Pain got in touch again recently about a new track they've released from their upcoming album, the track in question being I Have Sinned. Based on the last stuff I heard from them I was looking forward to seeing what these guys had been up to since we last caught up with them (see below) and how the music was coming along!
I Have Sinned opens with whispering requests to forgive the young lady in question, then as if to answer the band kick in with all of the force we've come to expect from them. Spitting lyrics of 'forgive me father I have sinned' over some downright thrashy riffs, this is a hell of an opening to a track! Rolling drums and pounding bass lines back up the riffs which really push the track forward, the vocals once again assuming their almost clean yet somehow incredibly powerful approach and drag you through the track by your face, pummelling you at every turn and making sure you're paying attention at every single step. This track really demonstrates how able these guys are as a band, the vocal line over the guitars, the bass and the double bass pedal, the soaring solo which they throw into the mix - it all comes together to form a track which will make you sit back and just think - holy shit.....this is awesome!
I've been a big fan of Project Pain since I first heard them a while back for the original review, and what's more I'm so glad they've stayed in touch and sent through this new one! This track demonstrates how a band evolve over time and change their music, not in regards to style but with regards to their ability to play it - this song is the sort of thing you'd expect from a far more established band, and I love it! I can't wait to hear what comes next and of course, to see the video once it's done!
Bravo guys, bravo!
You can also see the video to I Have Sinned below:
I Have Sinned opens with whispering requests to forgive the young lady in question, then as if to answer the band kick in with all of the force we've come to expect from them. Spitting lyrics of 'forgive me father I have sinned' over some downright thrashy riffs, this is a hell of an opening to a track! Rolling drums and pounding bass lines back up the riffs which really push the track forward, the vocals once again assuming their almost clean yet somehow incredibly powerful approach and drag you through the track by your face, pummelling you at every turn and making sure you're paying attention at every single step. This track really demonstrates how able these guys are as a band, the vocal line over the guitars, the bass and the double bass pedal, the soaring solo which they throw into the mix - it all comes together to form a track which will make you sit back and just think - holy shit.....this is awesome!
I've been a big fan of Project Pain since I first heard them a while back for the original review, and what's more I'm so glad they've stayed in touch and sent through this new one! This track demonstrates how a band evolve over time and change their music, not in regards to style but with regards to their ability to play it - this song is the sort of thing you'd expect from a far more established band, and I love it! I can't wait to hear what comes next and of course, to see the video once it's done!
Bravo guys, bravo!
You can also see the video to I Have Sinned below:
Project Pain
Holland based Project Pain got in touch recently about their music to see if there was something we could do. Seeing as Rob is originally from Holland as well, we thought it was the least we could do to help them get their music over here and a bit more well known!
Embrace Death sets the level straight away, roaring guitars and spat vocals lead the way all supported by a rolling drum beat. The mix is slightly off here so the vocals tend to over power the vocals initially, but work past that and listen to what else is going on and what you’re faced with is a band who know how to play their instruments and craft a track. Sludgy, crunchy and raw throughout this is a track which will grab you by the throat and force you to tag along with the band for the ride. Throwing a solo in for good measure, the track comes to a close on a high having crushed their way through – good start!
Moving in to Hatred everything seems to pick up a notch, the guitars seem crunchier, the double bass pedal from the drums even faster and the bass line even more prevalent. Raspy vocals once again take the lead here telling the story behind the track as it progresses and spitting ‘hatred’ out at you to make sure you’re still listening. The drums here really steal the show for me because of their speed, but check out the guitar solo as well and you won’t be disappointed! As the track fades and House of Pains childrens voices come into being everything takes on a darker outlook. He guitars continue on their distorted and riffing approach whilst the vocals continue to spit out from the music at you. The drums seem a little tamer on this track which doesn’t let it down as such, it just slows the pace to a more solid level. This track is somehow catchy at times which really struck me, it somehow sounds raw and almost old skool yet somehow retains that catchiness and fresh sound throughout, it’s something pretty massive to get your head around when you listen to it.
Finishing the selection with Silent But Deadly, the band seem set to show off all of their skills before letting you escape. Opening with rolling drums, slamming bass lines and a twiddly guitar line this is a track which I would love to see performed on the live scene – it’s circle it territory right here and everyone’s invited! Fast and rolling throughout, this track finishes the selection off making you wonder why there’s only 4 tracks, surely there have to be more out there to be heard! If the finish of this track is anything to go by as well….the band’s got a sense of humour!
I’ve never thought of The Netherlands as a place where bands like this would come from, it just doesn’t fit at first. That said, the music these guys have produced is testament to their ability to play their instruments and write tracks so perhaps I’ve been disillusioned for all these years! Either way, I’m intruigued to see what these guys come out with next as based on this, they’re on the road to a very good place!
To find out more about Project Pain, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Embrace Death sets the level straight away, roaring guitars and spat vocals lead the way all supported by a rolling drum beat. The mix is slightly off here so the vocals tend to over power the vocals initially, but work past that and listen to what else is going on and what you’re faced with is a band who know how to play their instruments and craft a track. Sludgy, crunchy and raw throughout this is a track which will grab you by the throat and force you to tag along with the band for the ride. Throwing a solo in for good measure, the track comes to a close on a high having crushed their way through – good start!
Moving in to Hatred everything seems to pick up a notch, the guitars seem crunchier, the double bass pedal from the drums even faster and the bass line even more prevalent. Raspy vocals once again take the lead here telling the story behind the track as it progresses and spitting ‘hatred’ out at you to make sure you’re still listening. The drums here really steal the show for me because of their speed, but check out the guitar solo as well and you won’t be disappointed! As the track fades and House of Pains childrens voices come into being everything takes on a darker outlook. He guitars continue on their distorted and riffing approach whilst the vocals continue to spit out from the music at you. The drums seem a little tamer on this track which doesn’t let it down as such, it just slows the pace to a more solid level. This track is somehow catchy at times which really struck me, it somehow sounds raw and almost old skool yet somehow retains that catchiness and fresh sound throughout, it’s something pretty massive to get your head around when you listen to it.
Finishing the selection with Silent But Deadly, the band seem set to show off all of their skills before letting you escape. Opening with rolling drums, slamming bass lines and a twiddly guitar line this is a track which I would love to see performed on the live scene – it’s circle it territory right here and everyone’s invited! Fast and rolling throughout, this track finishes the selection off making you wonder why there’s only 4 tracks, surely there have to be more out there to be heard! If the finish of this track is anything to go by as well….the band’s got a sense of humour!
I’ve never thought of The Netherlands as a place where bands like this would come from, it just doesn’t fit at first. That said, the music these guys have produced is testament to their ability to play their instruments and write tracks so perhaps I’ve been disillusioned for all these years! Either way, I’m intruigued to see what these guys come out with next as based on this, they’re on the road to a very good place!
To find out more about Project Pain, check out their Facebook page HERE.