Preludium - Impending Hostility

Solid.  Solid and generic.  That’s about as creative of a description as I can come up with for Preludium’s newest album, Impending Hostility.  Sometimes you can only listen to an album so many times before you realize that you’re wracking your brain for something clever to say for no reason.  That might seem kind of arrogant, but in 2011, I don’t see how any band who releases an album like this can expect much praise.  Some pats on the back maybe.

What we have here is a blackened death metal band from Poland who are living safely within the lines of the blueprints established for this style long ago.  It’s slightly brutal, somewhat fast, fairly aggressive and nearly one hundred percent interchangeable with the litany of other bands doing this.  Chugging riffs played alongside a recurring marching beat from the drums give Impending Hostility a war-like atmosphere and that clear “us versus them” stern attitude.  It’s death metal played by the numbers of this specific pattern and the result is highly formulaic.  Nine tracks which clock in at thirty-one and a half minutes translate to essentially nine of the same songs and by the time the album is over, I can scarcely remember a single one.  This album makes Belphegor sound innovative.  Of course, the up-side is that the band certainly isn’t comprised of a bunch of hacks.  They can play, the production is first-class and I’m positive it transitions to the stage nicely.  In fact, I’m sure this is one of those bands that will tear a crowd apart with their live show but will underwhelm you immensely when you listen to the cd you bought at the show.  Who hasn’t been there before?  Well you will be if you re-enact that scenario I just described.

Don’t get me wrong, Impending Hostility is a solid album, no doubt.  Solidly recorded, crisp production, good vocals, heavy and just brutal enough to make you consider seeing them in concert.  You just don’t need to own it and you certainly will be able to sleep at night having not even listened to it.

Release Date: October 2nd, 2010
Label: Diabolical Conquest
Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Legacy of Destinations
2.  Realm of Void
3.  Desolation
4.  Hostile Area
5.  Bitter Cold
6.  Blessing of War
7.  Death Campaign
8.  Execution
9.  Warfare

Total playing time:  31:32

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*Comments:

Reviewer: Jesse

March 5, 2011