God Forbid - Determination (Released 4/17/01 on Century Media)
God Forbid is:
Byron Davis - Vocals
Doc Coyle - Guitars/Vocals
John Outcalt - Bass
Dallas Coyle - Guitars/Vocals
Corey Pierce - Drums
God forbid I should write more bio crap...
After the band's formation in 1996 (contrary to what I've seen in many other sites, they were formed in 1996, NOT 1998) God Forbid wasted no time before colliding with the underground metal scene. Several demos including the
Rejecting the Sickness and
Out of Misery releases on an the indie label 9 Volt Records. In 2001, they released
Determination, their major label debut on Century Media Records. Well that was easy wasn't it?
Oh God, it's time for the music...
God Forbid is an interesting band in many ways. I suppose if you wanted to they could be grouped in the NWOAHM, but mostly because they've come along about the same time as all the other NWOAHM bands. The more I listen to the the more I feel justified with this statement: God Forbid is like Lamb of God on fu
cking steroids. The music is much more intense thanks to Davis's enraged screaming. The riffs are chunky and heavy while the melodic side of them is shown at just the right time. The solos are sweet as well. They utilize effects and oddly executed techniques that give the music an insane chaotic feeling.
One of the obvious focal points of the band is Byron Davis. He has the kind of scream that sounds like he straining to the point where he's about to give himslef an ulcer. His voice is pretty intense. Often times over the top as well, he has a pretty unique sound. Overall I think he is a big part of the God Forbid style. The guitar playing caught my attention as well. The riffs themselves are low pitch, chunky, and brutal. These guys know when to start and when to stop with the heavy power chords while maintaining a heavy yet slightly technical sound. The melodic lead parts are great and usually well placed. The solos, while not as good or plentiful as on Gone Forever, are spot on. The Coyles can shred pretty well, although their newest releaes (which this is not) has even more impressive guitar work. The bass playing doesn't stand out a whole lot. It's just your basic guitar hugging rhythm. While not very audible except maybe for on tracks like
Network or the fast bass breaks on
Wicked, it definitely adds a much needed bottom. While I love good bassplaying, I don't mind this. I'm sure the bassists out there pay much more attention to it then I do. The drums also tickle my fancy for some odd reason. Pierce's beats are very well crafted. The double bass rhthms are exactly where/when they should be while some blast beats often come in to mix things up. He seems to add just the right stuff to produce a full-on percussive metal explosion. They instruments combine very well, but the complexity of them may often overlooked.
From the second I heard the atmospheric sounds fading gradually into the music of the intro
Dawn of the Millenia, I knew I needed more God Forbid. They seem to excel in creative instrument noises. The heavy riffs with the sudden insane lead licks in the intro of
Nothing are very hardcore and interesting. The instrumental track
A Reflection of the Past has some interesting clean electric guitar work with various effects; unlike those that I ever use at least.
But the fact remains, God Forbid has the much needed ability to pull out some heavy as hell bada
ss music. Thr track
Broken Promise is a lesson in straight up heavy metal, care of UPS. Any replys may be sent to the return address on So-Metal-They-Won't-Let-Us-Through-Airports-Anymore Avenue. The guitars combined with the drums on
Wicked sounds just that. To compensate, God Forbid comes standard-issue with a melodic side that can be shone at will. The breaks in the middle of songs are usually much needed. While their could be more melodic sections, ones in songs like
Divide My Destiny show are much more than drop C and double bass.
Most importently, God Forbid can show enough of their technical talented side to keep you listening. Once I heard the first guitar solo on the album I was convinced that I was a fan. Once again,
Divide My Destiny never ceases to amaze. The songs
Determination, Pts 1 and 2 are riddled with amazing stuff for eight minutes. The over six minute epic
Deaf Words on Dead Ears is a thrashy throwback that works well with their sound. Even their simple lead guitar riffs seem to catch me like those on
Network. This is definitely a well-rounded band.
To conc...
Like I just said, this is a very well-rounded band worthy of anyone remotely into the genre. Though Gone Forever is much better, this was good enough to get me into the band. A great blend of heaviness with some melody and just enough technicality. I don't see why these guys don't get more exposure. Anyone into ridiculously insane guitar solos should check out their next album, by the way. :thumb:
Recommended tracks:
Nothing
Broken Promise
Network
Wicked
Determination, Pt. 1 and 2
Final Rating - 4.3/5
Surprisingly good stuff. Take a look people. * :thumb: x2*
