I really wish Germany’s Weak Aside had chosen another name to replace their former moniker of Spearhead, as everything else about the band’s solid sophomore effort is high quality and pretty awesome, deserving of a more awe inspiring, war mongering death metal name.
Other than the name everything about The Next Offensive is pretty damned good. It does not take a genius to figure the band’s style and influence when you see the cover and song titles like “Siren”, “The Tank” and “Broken Frontline”. But to simply call these guys a German Jungle Rot would be a disservice to both. You can also hear strains of Bolt Thrower, Humiliation, God Dethroned and Hail of Bullets in the oft somber, war themed chugs and blasts. Also, vocalist Thomas Zorn injects a solid Asphyx/Obituary vibe with his old school growls and rasps.
The largely mid paced steady chug is powerful and hefty with a few melodic leads here and there and a few more urgent salvos (fueled by veteran drummer Marc “Mücke” Dieken who has been in Dew Scented and long time German death metal stalwarts Obscenity). It’s not fancy, its not flashy, but it hits that perfect death metal sweet spot that made the 90s so awesome without being a mere dusty throwback. But what else would you expect from FDA Rekotz?
The blistering title tracks opens the blitzkrieg, signalling the next 10 songs and one intro’s intentions and sound before arguable standout “Gods of Pain” delivers a more tempered, martial mood and two songs in, you’ve pretty know what to expect from here out as both machine gun bursts (“Broken Frontline”, “Spawn of Hate”) and hefty tank like trundles (“Storm of Violence”, “Death Waits”, “Rapture and Disease”) are covered amply and enjoyably. And then there is a track like “Siren” or “Alive” where Bolt Thrower hue is thick for “Siren” which manages to mix both.
After apt interlude “The Tank”, “Bloodstorm” ends the album with a 5 and a half minute romp of classic, mid paced death metal showing Weak Aside, aside from the non threatening band name are in fact a force to be reckoned with in German death metal and another solid release from FDA Rekotz joining Chapel of Disease and making for the rather lackluster from fellow Germans and label mates, Obscure Infinity.
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Wow that’s a terrible band name.
on Apr 17th, 2015 at 01:55Weak aside – no place for those our struggle
Leaves behind
Our Lord won’t tolerate those whom through
Attrition fall
We must dominate!
on Apr 17th, 2015 at 06:02So the name is From a Morbid angel song? still a pretty bad choice
on Apr 19th, 2015 at 19:28Would’ve guessed they took their name from the Bloodbath song. Agreed, though, that’s an awful band name.
on Apr 19th, 2015 at 20:36