Review Summary: Cloaks of Oblivion isn't an essential release but it’s worth checking out if you’re the type of thrasher who yearns for the genre’s more melodic side
The thrash world seems to only consist of either party bands emulating Municipal Waste or groups bringing in more extreme metal influence, with little room for much else. Slovenia’s Eruption is one exception to the rule, thrashing under the radar since 2004 with a more melodic style influenced by groups like Heathen and Forbidden. While the band’s third full-length album is their first in five years, it’s gotten enough exposure for new fans to not have to worry if it was worth the wait.
While Eruption’s first two efforts showed gradual movement toward a cleaner sound, Cloaks of Oblivion throws this evolution into overdrive while retaining a thrash sound. The production job is loud and clean, highlighting tighter rhythms and allowing for plenty of intricate riffing patterns. Vocalist Klemen “Buco” Kalin also has broadened his range in the time between efforts; the somewhat shaky James Hetfield-isms of previous efforts now usurped by wails reminiscent of early Sanctuary or Flotsam and Jetsam.
This articulate style also translates to varied songwriting. Songs like “The Yearning” offer straightforward thrash but there are more like “Drones” and “Seven Archons” that pack themselves with high energy guitar trade-offs and enough tempo jumps to make Annihilator envious. There’s also a noticeable influence on mid-tempo segments as “Reborn into Demise” has a building start before the more classic metal influences come into play while “This Barren Existence” reaches for almost balladry before picking up the pace.
Overall, Cloaks of Oblivion shows Eruption’s improvement as a band. Their production and musicianship has gotten a lot tighter on this album, resulting in more adventurous songwriting that draws on less conventional influences compared to their peers in the scene. I don’t think I’d call it an essential release but it’s worth checking out if you’re the type of thrasher who yearns for the genre’s more melodic side. Hopefully we see more groups exploring this style in the future.
Highlights:
“Drones”
“Reborn into Demise”
“The Yearning”
“Seven Archons”
Originally published at http://indymetalvault.com
