October 6, 2010

Reviewer: Jesse

Since the formation of Hail of Bullets and the reawakening of Asphyx, let me just say that it’s good to have Martin Van Drunen back in death metal full-time.  Actually, it’s probably closer to “overtime” with this being the third album including Death… the Brutal Way since ’08 and touring galore including two appearances at the Maryland Deathfest.  Seminal vocalists such as him need to stay in the game as long as possible and it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down.  On to the album…

Hail of Bullets made huge waves with Of Frost and War that sent many old school death metal fans into a frenzy and rightfully so as that album was about as perfect of a debut as any fan of a Van Drunen-fronted death metal band could have hoped for.  2010’s On Divine Winds would have a lot to live up to.  Kicking off the album is an instrumental intro not unlike how Of Frost and War began which bleeds right into the opening track, “Operation Z” except without Dan Swano as a guest singer.  The formula throughout On Divine Winds mirrors its predecessor in that it’s another loose concept album based on WWII except this time, instead of the frozen battlefields of Eastern Europe, it’s centered on the Pacific side of the war.  Musically however, the difference isn’t quite as stark seeing as this album picked up right where Of Frost and War left off.  Chugging, mid-paced and pummeling, the tracks on On Divine Winds do not stray from the blueprint one bit.  And when I say “chugging,” prepare to bang your head in steady rhythm to the likes of “The Mukden Incident,” “On Coral Shores” and “Kamikaze.”  The riffing is memorable and unique which adds all the personality required to make this album stand out despite its possible redundant nature.  “On Coral Shores” just might be the highlight of their young career.

Really, there isn’t a whole lot to say about this album other than Hail of Bullets have their model in place and seem to be adhering to it flawlessly.  As someone mentioned to me, they’re aptly filling the void that Bolt Thrower has left us with in that you know exactly what to expect and still come away surprised.  I don’t think this is quite as good as Of Frost and War, but it absolutely will not let you down if you enjoyed that album.  Death metal is better off with Hail of Bullets albums.

Release Date: October 11, 2010
Label: Metal Blade Records 

TRACK LISTING

1.  The Eve Of Battle
2.  Operation Z
3.  The Mukden Incident
4.  Strategy Of Attrition
5.  Full Scale War
6.  Guadalcanal
7.  On Choral Shores
8.  Unsung Heroes
9.  Tokyo Napalm Holocaust
10.  Kamikaze
11.  To Bear The Unbearable

Total playing time:  48:03

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Hail of Bullets - On Divine Winds