Veil - Blinkers Define the Spasm

Ahhhh, the self-released CD.  In a world where recording and/or releasing your own music is becoming so much more accessible, it's making it easier for bands to have their music heard.  It's also allowing weak bands to flood the market with tons of horrible crap.  Luckily Greece's Veil proves that it is anything but a weak band with its latest self-released EP, Blinkers Define the Spasm. 

Veil plays straight-forward death metal that draws from the mid-nineties death metal scene without sounding like a complete throwback.  The guitar work is relatively simple but memorable.  You won't find any sweep-picking or blazing solos here, but there are catchy melodic riffs in abundance.  The bass guitar gives Blinkers Define the Spasm a thick bottom end that is so low that I almost feel like I need to compensate by adjusting my stereo's EQ.  This is no thin-sounding demo CD! 
(In fact, it was mastered by Andy Classen.)  The drums are especially impressive with numerous changes, fills, and cymbal accents.  The rhythmic variety in "Inversely Objective" and the awesome bass drum work in "Century of Decay" really make my ears perk up the most when listening to this EP.  Veil's vocals vary between low gutturals and mid-range growls.  The deeper growls work quite well, while the mid-range vocals are generally solid but can be weak at certain moments (see "For Want of 3 Senses"). 

After listening to Blinkers Define the Spasm numerous times, I am left with a feeling similar to what I get from bands like Abysmal Dawn.  That is to say, the music is enjoyable, competently played, and satisfying overall, but when I'm done listening to it I don't feel the urge to put the album back on right away.  There's something about Blinkers Define the Spasm that seems sort of average.  However, I feel like Veil has the potential to become an even stronger death metal band.  The band sounds like it has a unique voice somewhere deep down that has yet to fully surface.  Tracks like the previously mentioned "Inversely Objective" and "Century of Decay" show this seed of possibility.  Hopefully Veil will continue to develop and grow with its next release.      

Release Date: September 21, 2009
Label: Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING

1.  Pharisaism
2.  For Want of 3 Senses
3.  Inversely Objective
4.  Century Of Decay
5.  Ternary Human

Total playing time:  20:32

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

Reviewer: Roswell47

March 21, 2011