DEADLOCK – The Arsonist
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 02-08-2013
Album number six from German melodic death metal band Deadlock is entitled "The Arsonist", and one that I’ll admit I haven’t been waiting with baited breath to take in based on the symphonic meets Soilwork template heard on "Bizarro World" from 2011. Add 10 more tracks that go deeper into the pop/ low tuned nu-metal/core philosophy, and despite some killer Sebastian Reichl guitar riffs from time to time when the melodic death elements shine for "Darkness Divine" and "The Final Storm" the quintet appear intent on going for a low brow, high hook impact sound that is one part Engel, another Sevendust- and slightly Amaranthe influenced.
Female vocalist Sabine Scherer provides the soothing angelic contrast to harsh counterpart John Gahlert- and her alluring work captivates on their Bronski Beat cover "Small Town Boy"- but when a cover is better that your originals, doesn’t that diminish your creativity? Paint by numbers in construction, "The Arsonist" struggles to gain much steam because it focuses too much on commercial appeal versus natural heart.