Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

fvckin ahrd \m/

Album Rating: 4.0

(dreams of) endless war

I wish this was on Apple Music.

Album Rating: 3.5

Gonna get this.

( Ref. beyond trash, beyond god list by Parks. & Cas.)

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

git it gud

Album Rating: 3.5

Nice

I came to learn of this band thanks to Park's and Casavir's "Beyond thrash, beyond God" essential thrash list. (Actually, to be more technically correct, I had heard the band name before, but never actually listened to anything)

I am honestly blown away by them, this album in particular moreso than their followup (I'll explain...). Their brand of thrash is absolutely brilliant and unique, to the point where I actually doubt that they themselves called themselves "thrash" back in the day. Altho it's neither prog or speed either. I see some websites and reviews give them a power metal label, which to me is bizarre -- I just don't hear it.

Aside from their unique sound and style and overall technical proficiency, they also have a very developed and advanced compositional sense that actually allows the songs to be VERY exciting to listen to. (people who've read me are probably aware that the #1 thing I hate about much of metal is bands who are excellent musicians and very "progressive" in their ideas, but can't write a decent song to save their lives)

The biggest thing about this album (and their other one too, for that matter), which also is a bit surprising and even shocking, is just how well it is produced. Fuck me, these totally unknown 20-22-y/o (at the time) lads actually have a better sound on their debut than most already established big-name bands had managed to achieve by the time of their peak commercial years, like 3 or 4 albums into their discography. And it's not just "better", it's perfect. Very clean, balanced and dynamic, and accentuating all the right parts, but not to the point where it's disgustingly polished.

Finally, I can't help but theorize that I can see early Annihilator as having been influenced by this.

Now, regarding their second album, it has all the strengths of the first one, AND dares to try to be even more original and inventive, BUT to me the songs themselves are just a bit weaker overall. It's just not as exciting as their debut. Maybe I can hear the band probably trying a bit too hard, which eventually ruined the thing.

P.S. And also... you're gonna hate me for this... some aspects of Death, particularly in Human, ITP and Symbolic, sound to me like they potentially could have been impressed by Realm. In particular, there's some very specific tinge in the guitar phrases, licks, start/stops that screams SCHULDINER to me. Also the way the bass sometimes weaves in and out of the mix, either via a quick BURST, or a creeping fade in/out... Very Death-y.
Yeah, I really hear it... sorry... :S
P.P.S. Please don't ban me from sputnik for saying that! :X

Album Rating: 2.5

"And also... you're gonna hate me for this... some aspects of Death, particularly in Human and ITP, sound to me like they were almost direct cuts from this band."



reported

I edited my comment a bit so as to sound a bit more diplomatic lol

Album Rating: 2.5

lol I was just bustin' ur balls anyway

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Band was ahead of their time, agreed

I witnessed some contention regarding the vocals earlier on in this thread, and I am honestly surprised that they are that hard to assimilate for you guys...
Have you not listened to Iced Earth? It's almost a 1-to-1.
And... now that I've mentioned this, it just occurred to me... Actually Iced Earth is yet another band which I see as potentially having relation to Realm, specifically (though not exclusively !!!) the vocals.

HA !!!

Hm... might be this album here was actually responsible for influencing waaaay more forks in metal than anyone's ever suspected or given it credit for !!! :O
DePlazz, my man, you've done us such a great service, enriched us so much by opening our eyes to this, that I am almost willing to forgive you giving Artillery's By Inheritance a 3.5 ! :D
(almost)
(and lol, you have Terror Squad higher than it at 4.0 ? Really? -_- )

Album Rating: 5.0

Theseus and the Minotaur, Root of Evil, All Heads Will Turn to the Hunt and Second Coming all have a substantial foot in power metal so it's not that far-fetched of an observation, honestly. Realm ride the line between that genre and thrash here about as finely as Iced Earth did on Night of the Stormrider, if not moreso.



"And also... you're gonna hate me for this... some aspects of Death, particularly in Human, ITP and Symbolic, sound to me like they potentially could have been impressed by Realm. In particular, there's some very specific tinge in the guitar phrases, licks, start/stops that screams SCHULDINER to me. Also the way the bass sometimes weaves in and out of the mix, either via a quick BURST, or a creeping fade in/out... Very Death-y."



Eh, that's a colder take imo. Chuck being influenced by a myriad of tech thrash bands is basically common knowledge. Symbolic practically isn't death metal at that point but more in the vein of something like Believer's Sanity Obscure.

ya, definitely.

Man, it certainly feels good to come back to sputnik after a long(ish) absence and be able to jump right in into them deep and meaningful discussions on your topics of interest, with people who actually know what they're talking about! ^__^

oh, sputnik, where was my head at when I made the decision to abandon ye for half a year?... ;[

Album Rating: 3.5

Good comeback to you LaughingSkull!



got my hand on this discog, jammin this tonight

Album Rating: 4.0

skull dude check believer if you want another band with advanced compositions

Album Rating: 4.0

oh i guess cas recd them already

Album Rating: 3.5

The singer of Realm sound like a young Geddy Lee of Rush, kind of cool.

wtf I don't hear it

Album Rating: 3.5

sorry to hear that, haha, its prob. just me.