Metal doesn’t exactly flow through the fens of Norfolk, and I don’t know about you, but it isn’t really the first place that springs to mind for a vibrant metal scene. Then again, I’m not sure which region would spring to mind. Hailing from a relatively small town that’s similarly not renowned for producing talent by the bucket load, I’m all too aware of how local crowds can foam at the mouths over sub standard acts, simply because the local scene has nothing better to offer. Of course, it’s a great boost for the bands collective ego when they have enough MySpace mates to fill the local joint, naturally earning them a sure-fired slot with any touring band that stops by which then looks good enough on a CV to spark interest in a couple of cottage labels.
The problem then, is that once they escape the confines of the local music scene and are released into the big wide world, it really is a test in whether the band will sink or swim. To coin a very much overused phrase, it’s like going from being a big fish in a small pond to being released into a large ocean and discovering you’re not so hot after all. Once you get that promotion from being in the unsigned/demo review pages in the mags the expectation bar is raised. Journos and fans alike stop being so kind and supportive and judge based on comparable bands out there in the real world.
Thirteenth Sign are not a terrible band by any means. They are tight and musically competent, with some strong elements integrated into the mix. The trouble is that it just isn’t enough to be merely competent when there are so many bands competing for your attention, and frankly this album doesn’t elevate much higher than the mere competency mark. You have tracks like ‘Silhouette Of Her Wings’ and ‘Oracles Of The End’ which push their modern thrash elements to the limits, while ‘Weaving Horns For A Spine’ mix it up with some galloping riffage and classic Maiden harmonies. Drums have a clinical and clicky sound; almost mechanical especially through the hyperblasts of ‘In Wake Of Mourning,’ which also dishes out some sharp, angular guitars with a very modern approach. This track certainly has a nice memorable melody, as do a couple of other tracks here like ‘Oracles…’ although these all seem to be lumped together at the start, and one these are over it all gets a bit repetitive, even tedious and at one point I wonder if I am listening to one continuous song.
This is nothing outstanding or overly original, but then when you are playing modern melodic thrash metal it is really hard to do anything that makes you stand out. Kudos for attempting to integrate the power/trad metal elements, although in places I feel this comes off in a disjointed manner and I get the impression that a few albums down the line after a bit more practise this may work much better.
http://www.myspace.com/thirteenthsign
http://www.myspace.com/battlegodproductions
