Premonitions of War
Left in Kowloon
Victory
Incredible! There are few words to describe the wonderful, fantastic and ferocious album that is Left in Kowloon. Hands down, this is the single best album that I’ve heard this year, and one of the coolest metal albums I’ve ever heard.
Imagine taking the best parts of Pelican, Botch and Isis, and throwing them together into a hearty stew. Now, put the stew in the oven on “broil,” and wait about a half an hour. Quickly take out the steaming, bubbling mass and pour it on your face and down your throat. As your flesh pops and sizzles, you savor the true meaning of what it is to be blown away, completely. This is the best way that I can describe how scorching this album is.
The guitars and drums on Left in Kowloon work together to create furious and plodding math-metal of the first class. From time to time, the band will throw in a strange southern-flaired guitar bit, but for the most part, the guitarists rarely stray from the low end of the guitar spectrum. The vocalist has a bleeding throat, full bodied scream/growl that not only intimidates and frightens but also inspires. This guy gives 110%. It must hurt to scream like that!
The overall effect of the band’s labor is something more devastating, powerful and steamrolling than I ever expected before listening to this album. The cover art is actually quite unassuming, it being a close up of a metal object covered in moss, shot at either dusk or dawn. This is my first experience with Premonitions of War, and not only am I sold, but I am a true believer and a fan. All hail Premonitions of War!
Victory: http://www.victoryrecords.com/
