It would be safe to say that since 2004's 1-800 Vindication, the output of these Danes has been fairly consistent despite their subsequent two releases not really managing to quite replicate the superb form of that album. But another year on another label can only be a fresh start for the band that have pretty much defined the Danish Death Metal scene.
After the pretty straight-forward death metal of The Prestige, there is an instant feeling of a return to that experimentation that made 1-800... so interesting and charming. While the prestige was a very good album, it left me with a kind of wanderlust that To Those Who Walk Behind us seems set on curing.
The album opens with 'Blood On Your Parade' which instantly recalls past glories in it's signature IllDisposed style Death Metal Groove. 'For The Record' is the guitar driven headbanging friendly tempo that swamped Burn Me Wicked – on paper it would seem like pretty standard tactics but the performance is tight and the different vocal styles cut through with great effect. 'Come and Get Me' is more of what makes IllDisposed such as fine band, the guitar effects create a subtle melody to a stripped back rockier track, and yet it still harks back to their brutal death metal roots. 'Seeking Truth – Telling Lies' is a strangely upbeat track full of groove – it doesn't feel anyway experimental but rather very straightforwardly catchy in a toe-tapping way. 'Sale At The Misery Factory' is more of the same but with the electronics a lot easier to pick out of the mix than on the previous track, and some effective harmonic guitar work for added effect. The title track, 'To Those Who Walk Behind Us' is more of what I like to hear from the band – they keyboards add a nice subtle dimension to the riff, the vocals are harsh but melodic, and it has a nice anthemic feel. 'If All The World' briefly flits back and forth into the realms of big sing-a-long anthemic metal – one that will translate effectively to the live circuit. 'My Number is Expired' is vintage IllDisposed through and through – with its curve ball intro, chugging riff, and spoken word moments it is a great example of the range of the band. 'Johnny' is a great metallic version of The Fine Young Cannibal's 'Johnny Come Home', and it is to this album what 'Jeff' was to 1-800 Vindication. 'This Unscheduled Moment' is the album's penultimate track, and again shows off the ethos of this album by balancing what is a pretty straight up death metal track with the subtle melodic guitar work. The final track 'Nu Gik Det Lige Sa Godt' teases a ballad style intro but thankfully returns to the big anthemic feel of the title track to close the album in a stylish fashion.
This is probably the best album the Danes have released since 2004's high watermark 1-800... while its does re-tread a little ground from The Prestige and Burn Me Wicked, it does it in a very confident and self-assured manner that is reflected in the power of the performances. While a lot of it is therefore pretty familiar, it doesn't shy away from thinking outside the box and using more subtle methods rather than in your face trickery to get the desired feelings.
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http://www.illdisposed.dk
