ALMOST DEAD – Brutal Onslaught
- Posted on 30-07-2021
The US outfit known as Almost Dead blends modern thrash metal with groove metal and subtle hints of metalcore, and this twelve-track output is some wildly aggressive and energetic stuff. Whenever I spin this disc, acts ala Machine Head, Pissing Razors, and Devildriver come to mind, so that should tell you a little about where we are at here, musically speaking.
The thing is that these guys obviously know their way around the instruments, but the compositions are simply too uneventful, predictable, and dull. The hard-hitting sound and production of the album works in its favor and suits the song material nicely, and there are some muscular and bouncy riffs to be found in places too, but despite countless breakdowns and twists and whatnot, "Brutal Onslaught" just does not deliver. The vocals are also a huge drawback and seem almost incompatible with the music, which is frustrating. Their hardcore-esque vibe just does not seem to complement or in any way enhance the tunes.
Sadly, "Brutal Onslaught" is a forgettable and uninteresting offering, and it leaves a lot to be desired.