DEADEND IN VENICE – See You On The Ground
- Posted on 04-09-2011
Forming in late 2008 we have a German melodic death metal sextet with their own little twists and turns on this debut album “See You On The Ground”. Operating with two vocalists for these types of acts may not be novel, but incorporating a male growler and a female clean singer who can really navigate in all aspects of the lows, mid-range and siren highs gives songs like the guitar harmony meets vocal dual nature of “Brain Execution” and the shape shifting mid-tempo “Long Way Home” a distinct flavor on this genre.
Christian Litzba possesses one of those discernible growls, maniacal and abrasive when necessary within killer tracks like “Tomorrow Never Comes” or “Hate Sweet Hate” to the point that you rarely need to look at a lyric sheet. Lead guitarist Kevin Klein isn’t your run of the mill cacophony of note shred machine – there’s forethought and instinct put into his tasteful lead runs and little sprinklings of melody enhancement – his most versatile work best heard on “Last Chances” with some fine cultural picking. I really had to sink deep into this 9 song, 32 minute and change record before I realized their double guitar harmony and speed runs plus forward motion in tempo reminded me a lot of the debut album from former Metal Blade band Beyond The Embrace- with a solid gothic female hammering home the clean parts.
Many of you who feel this movement has moved too close to the commercial vest with keyboards, good cop- bad cop verses/choruses and predictable mid-tempo riffs designed for immediate crowd propulsion should breathe a sigh of relief at the throwback nature Deadend In Venice employ. “See You On The Ground” lives for early In Flames, the aforementioned BTE and possibly Children Of Bodom yet with its own character and catchiness.
Bravo lady and gentlemen – you should find a great cross section who normally may not give this style a chance while proving that you can put an original twist on a tried and true sub-genre.