Imagine if I could take you back musically to the hay day of the bay area thrash metal scene and roll it into one neat package? Well, I believe I can – in the form of Critical Solution with the 2013 release “Evil Never Dies”.
The only thing that will flip this notion on its head is if I inform you that these guys hail from Norway much more infamous for the Black Metal movement and Vikings, this crew takes a different path. The band started in 2005 and things have been getting very serious in 2010 with slots on various Norwegian festivals alongside the likes of “Twisted Sister” and “Slash”.
Vocally on this album, you will find a style and sound almost identical to Metallica’s James Hetfield – so much so that you will be left wondering if Hetfield is actually on this album. Great examples of this are track 2 “Sad Hill” and track 4 “Wallace Green”.
If it’s frantic drumming and great bass sound that you after, then the track “Soulmaker” is the ticket…… “Hell’s Warrior” is my pick on this album the intro alone will have you starting your own mosh pit with a truly awesome “Slayer” inspired guitar tone and sound Track 6. “The Execution” is a 59 second “Call To War” then the epic lead guitar kicks in with “Dead Man Walking”. Other points of interest on this album include the three covers – namely “Speed King” by Deep Purple, a note for a note-perfect rendition of Metallica‘s “Seek And Destroy” and last but not least “Killed By Death” of Motörhead – fame this track which also includes guest appearances by 1990’s rock frontman Ugly Kid Joe‘s Whitfield Crane and guitar whizz of King Diamond, Andy La Rocque. La Roque also mixed and produced this album along with this band’s previous effort “Evidence Of Things Unseen”.
Overall a great album that I could picture being played loud and proud over a BBQ and a few beers this summer; all hail!!!!
Critical Solution: Facebook
Release Year: 2013
Label: self-released
Category: Album
Country: Norway
Reviewed by Steve Monaghan
