Killface - Faceless

Irish death metal settles into the breast by way of Killface, a very groove-oriented machine that combines a death metal feel with a slower thrash feel that sort of slithers out of the speakers. For a first effort this is pretty solid and quite enjoyable.

What is more than casually impressive is the style of metal here; it’s sort of lies in between the progressive groove of a more caustic Nevermore and late era Slayer slowed to (for them) a crawl. The genuine respect for the music is evident here; there are no short cuts or loopholes with which to bypass original ideas and effort. In four tracks Killface decides to shred the air with some lo-fi plodding through seriously heavy metal that really defies conventional or nonsensical labeling. What are these insipid labels for anyway?

Each song is a small glimpse into the band’s energetic, though acutely lethargic delivery, causing a variance of responses from the obligatory headbanging (“Hacked to Death”) to the introspective jaunt through a D-chord prism (“Miserable”). What makes a track like “Miserable” so interesting is the decidedly ugly Celtic Frost feel, ala Monotheist. While I couldn’t necessarily call this doom or sludge, there is certainly enough of a down-tempo vibe going on that would warrant inclusion into that little world. Fans of this will certainly find enjoyment in what Killface is offering.

Even the band’s faster, thrashy numbers like “Years of Gore” won’t put off the casual observer. It’s definitely a brand of metal that pretty much spans the spectrum from hardcore to thrash, from doom to technical, through death into progressive/groove, pretty much anyone can find something viable in the band’s EP and for my money you’d do well to check them out. Vocalist Derek Brady issues a coarse, yet discernable vocal performance that can border the hardcore/death line to a perfect angle. While not innovative enough for a ground-breaking tag, he is interesting and unique enough to garner attentive listeners accordingly.

Give these fine Irish lads a chance and you might find the happy medium of thrash/groove as appealing as I have.            

Release Date: 2010
Label: Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING

1.  Dysfunctional
2.  Miserable
3.  Years of Gore
4.  Hacked to Death

Total playing time:  22:14

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*Comments:

Reviewer: Chris

February 11, 2011