I wasn’t sure whether I was gonna review this album or not. Fact is, it was a close call that I threw this in the trash bin without even giving it a spin. Why? Well because the press-release said that Sculptor was a Death Metal band albeit a melodic one. Death Metal is one of few branches on the Hard Rock tree that I really have a hard time with and to this day, I can’t find one band within the genre that I like. But me being me, a music geek that can’t say no to a challenge, I thought it might be a good idea to at least give it a real try when the album’s in my mailbox. So said and done, I braced myself for being ran over by a bulldozing music experience with rapid aggression, growling and menacing riffing, warts n’ all.
Sculptor is a melodic Death Metal band from Curitiba, Brazil and according to the press-release, the band is highly influenced by the Gothenburg sound of the early 90’s – In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Soilwork and the likes. They started out back in 2015 and has since then refined their craft by playing live, writing songs and finding their sound to show the world now that they – singer Rick Eraser, guitarist/vocalist Vinne, bassist Caco Ramos, guitarist Fabricio Reis and drummer Mateus Schran – have finally landed a record deal with Frontiers and released their debut album. Looks like Frontiers continues to spread their wings when it comes to genres, huh?
The album opens with the slow, dark and heavy intro “Interlude” to create an atmosphere and this little haul takes us right into the album’s leading single/video “No Control” which proceeded the album. It’s a pretty straight-forward and raw metal-piece that sports a dark and ominous main-melody bit also some melodic growling and a damn catchy riff. While it is a hard and aggressive number, it also hold some more laid-back moments and the the chorus holds a great hook, making it quite memorable and you know what? I like this. Next up is the latest single “Redemption”, an in-your-face, robust and edgy metal-blaster that comes in a mid-pace, both aggressive, hard and punchy but also with a distinct vocal-melody that hits hard. I get the feeling of some evil lurking around but we’re also treated with clear melodies and a striking and hook-laden refrain. I like this one as well.
“Beyond Madness” attacks with chugging guitars, a groovy metal-beat on a solid ground with punchy drums, a thunderous bass and a mean and hard outlook. That being said, this tune comes closer to classic Heavy Metal with growly vocals than actual Death Metal – not that I mind the least. It’s a melodic track where the vocal-melodies shine through with a striking hook and a catchy chorus. Very good. “Born To Be Slave” is a riff-happy, aggressive metal-stomper in a slow to mid-paced tempo. The verses are hard-hitting and raw with a headbang-friendly rhythm and the refrain grabs you by the throat and hits you right on the jaw for a KO. There are also some fast, slamming and noisy passages for rowdiness’ sake. Hell, this is another good one.
“Embrace Yourself” provides us with a – drum roll – ballad. I don’t know about you but I have never heard (of) a Death Metal ballad ever. Truth be told, there’s really not a whole lot of Death Metal about this one. It starts out slow, melancholic with intense, blackening and clean vocals. Still in ballad-mode the tune soon takes up an upbeat groove while keeping the clean vocals which brings out the melody-hooks more than growl would’ve. That said, this isn’t power-balladry, it’s a heavy ballad and a damn good one. “Empty Space” is upbeat with catchy riffing and more of Death Hard Rock than Metal piece. It’s rhythmically hard and solid, it comes in a mid tempo with stand-out melodies that almost feels like Death Metal meets Melodic Rock with tuned down guitars and a striking refrain. Raw yet melodic – and it’s a great tune.
“Requiem” is more a straight-forward metal-belter with an infectious rhythm and striking riffing and a whole bunch of hook-laden vocal-melodies. The drums are punchy and rowdy, the aggression is prominent but it’s not too furious or menacing. There’s also a laid-back mid-passage with clan vocals which makes for a functioning contrast. As a whole, the song is ok but it never really grabs me. “Untouchable Truth” is heavy, ballsy, muscular and riff-happy and it comes in mid tempo. It’s a straight ahead and punchy Metal stomper, in-your-face with aggressive vocals and a frantic rhythm. As a contrast, the song ends on a chunky and melodic note where the solo section highly reminds me of Opeth with a proggy outlook. Good one.
“Wake Me Up When The Pain Goes Away” starts out slow and introvert with an evil sounding and grinding guitar riff and continues with some dirty, gritty rhythms and more edgy and firey guitarmageddon riffage. Parts of the song sniffs around Black Metal territories without really going there and there’s some intense metal-grooving going on as well. It’s rough and dark but also with a distinct and even catchy vocal-melody. Great stuff. Closing track “Watch Rope” is a an upbeat yet mid-paced Death Metal dust-kicker, heavy and robust and a kicking rhythm with razor-sharp guitars and a thundering bass where Eraser’s guttural vocals brings on even more memorable hook-lines and a chorus that grabs a hold right off the bat. Good stuff.
I dig this – even though Death Metal isn’t really my can of beer. What we’re getting here are short and concise songs – bang on target, no frills, heavy, aggressive and powerful but more melodic than any Death Metal I have ever heard before which is a blessing for yours truly. The fact that the band actually dares to bring out distinct and effective melodies and choruses that are really catchy and the use of clean vocals at times brings out a contrast and a dynamic that makes it easier to embrace – at least for me. To blend Death Metal with both Heavy Metal, Hard Rock and even touches of Melodic Rock is a winning concept – hardcore and conservative Death Metal fans might beg to differ on this one, though and dismiss it as not Death Metal enough. I still have some growl-issues here and there and when the music runs amok like a wounded predator, I’m a bit lost but the last spin of this record isn’t even close for me.
6/10
Tracklist:
1. Interlude
2. No Control
3. Redemption
4. Beyond Madness
5. Born To Be Slave
6. Embrace Yourself
7. Empty Space
8. Requiem
9. Untouchable Truth
10. Wake Me Up When The Pain Goes Away
11. Watch Rope
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