As with their unassuming debut, Paths of Possession simply shows that a big name guest vocalist, big time producer, high profile label (which also happens to be the label of the guest vocalist’s other much higher profile band) and concept based album do not a great record make.

Started initially as a project of Richard Brunelle (Morbid Angel), who is no longer in the band, Paths of Possession now seems more like a George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher’s (Cannibal Corpse) side project and continues to try to mix melodic death metal with Corpsegrinder’s gruff vocals and a chunky, almost European/Belgian style of death metal-and it never quite works.

As with Promises in Blood, the song writing on The End of the Hour is average at best, and even with the mix of melody and some element of brutality, the songs are just a mish mish-mash of chunky grooves, a few blast beats and lots of NWSDM riffage, melodic solos, and none of it stands out despite the killer Erik Rutan production and some strong vocals from Fisher. The somewhat ridiculous concept (about a man who becomes a demigod after a life of war and death) is reed thin at best, matching the songs overall sense of half heartedness. To be quite honest, there’s not a single riff or moment I can recall from the album. If forced, I might choose “In Offering of Spite” or “Poisoned Promised Land” as ‘highlights’, that’s hardly a glowing endorsement as pretty much all 10 tracks are ridiculously forgetful.

Paths of Possession reminds me somewhat of the post Monstrosity act Inferneaon, where the sum of the parts never equal the whole or equal the members past or present glories and rather rely on names or gimmicks than actual songs to carry the band.

Stunningly mediocre considering the potential.