I find many unjust situations bordering on criminal acts.  Here are some examples.  The fact that I have been playing the Mega Millions for close to 2 decades and I have only won, maybe 40 bucks over this course.  Another one that comes to mind is my damn Dallas Cowboys have only won 2 playoff games in 20 years.  But Jerry keeps saying year after year, this is the year!  Jerry, just sign the player checks and shut up.  Another travesty of justice is the fact that North Carolina’s Eldritch Horror have unleashed Untouched By The Sun, as an unsigned act!!  Good Hell, how in the heavens did this happen?

The band formed in ’89, kicked it around for a bit with demos and crap and then finally reforming in 2014 to release their first ever album, which for me, is the best release for 2015, thus far.  Eldritch Horror play death metal, with some thrash tendencies, with their sound rooted in late 80’s/early 90’s.  Bands I can compare them to would be the mighty Deceased, early Obituary, early Morpheus Descends, some Autopsy like doom moments and then sprinkle a little classic metal of Iron Maiden in there, especially during some of the melodic and classic moments.

“Feeder Planet” has some outstanding ryhtums with smatterings of blast beats.  The guitar sound on this album is incredible and some audible, nicely played bass guitar.  I also enjoy the natural drum sound that permeates the entire album.  Anyway, back to the tune.  The guitar riff is so bad ass and there are also some doom moments with a little bit of a nod to Autopsy.  Vocals are understandable, gruff and angry sounding, with a lot of awesome early 90’s death growls spread throughout certain songs.

While all the tunes destroy, another song I will mention will be “Despair”, which rounds out the album, as the closer.  Beginning with some synths and melodic opening before cruising into a classic death/thrash beat.  The riff is so damn classic you will be unable to not head bang to this track.  A little Maiden melodies creep in, as well, and then double bass kicks in your teeth, before the track seems like it’s slowing down, before galloping into the classic beat.  Great vocals come in again and then guitar solos to show what classic shredding is all about in death/thrash.  Eldritch Horror have crafted an album in Untouched By The Sun, that has the word classic in it from the get go.  Atmospheric, dark, heavy, original and well thought out and paced tunes, that average out to about 6 minutes per song.

Most impressive of this well played album is how catchy every song is, to a point where I’m humming these tunes all day.  I cannot get “Feeder Planet” out of my head, still!!  The first batch of cds were manufactured as CD-R’s, but going forward the band is putting in some extra scratch for all silver cds.  The booklet is well layed out; 6 panels, in full color with pictures, lyrics and thanks list.  The album cover is pure classic old school horror/Lovecraftian awesomeness.  This album is terrific in every single way and the other crime I will mention is if you do not have this in your collection, by the time you’re finished reading this, then I’m sending “The Vomit Hounds” after you.  Buy or Die!!!!!!!!!

 

[Visit the band's website]

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