Ok, let’s cut the crap on this one and look at the reality of the situation. Australia’s melodic metal scene is growing from strength to strength. The number of quality releases in the genre over the last few years can no longer be ignored; so much that we need to start calling it the ‘Aussie Melodeath scene’ or just straight ‘Aussodeath’ (there, I’ve coined it now, so start using it), and Eye of the Enemy’s latest release ‘Titan’ is one of the brightest jewels in the crown.
This album has all of the hallmarks of a great Aussodeath album. Complex riffage and song structures, a death voice somewhere between straight death and hardcore yelling, clean interludes that shape the heavy sound, precise and well thought out drumming that serves the tracks well and an underlying feeling of aggression and sadness. The performance on this album is impeccable, as is the production value. Nothing sounds out of place and there is enough room to hear everything in the mix. It could be my bias, but I’m much more of a fan of the melodic/tragic side of Eye of The Enemy. I still love the groove and death stuff, but there is something about tracks like Colours that tickles me just right. Speaking of which, Clay is probably one of the most emotional tracks I have heard from an Aussodeath band – savage, beautiful and tragic, the sweet spot of the Venn diagram.
The groove is strong throughout the album and the distinctive Australian bark makes me feel like this is home.
I’m also a fan of the ‘less emphasis on shredding’ standpoint in the solos; it allows the work to be more suited to the songs.
Now, this release is different from their earlier stuff as Eye of The Enemy has a bit of history.
The biggest change would be Mitch on vocals. But put it on, close your eyes and listen to the emotion being portrayed. This is heavy stuff, in the hippy-esk sense of the word. Suitable for those going through a nihilistic crisis while working their day job at the firm.
Release Year: 2019
Label: Art Is War Records
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Liam Frost-Camilleri
