Artist: Frontlines
Title: Unleash The Beast
Type: 4 Track EP
Label: Self Released

In such heavily-mediated times where most of us break into sweats and shakes if 2 hours pass without checking Facebook, Twitter and Hotmail, it’s just impossible NOT to be reminded some way or another that this weekend marked the 7th anniversary of Dimebag Darrel’s passing. Even if, like me, you have never been a big fan of Pantera, it’s hard to argue against the premise that they have had a huge impact on the genre and on the whole Dimebag, Anselmo and co have been incredibly influential. Modern metal would not be the same had they not existed. Whether that’s a good or a bad thing is a matter of opinion – given that much of what we know as metalcore is based on the foundation they laid down all those years ago. It’s a style of music I have little time for, having heard one too many Killswitch/Lamb Of God wannabe demos pass through my lair…although if it wasn’t that it would be some other awful trend the kids would be all over like flies in my unsanitary pile of washing up.

Anyway, forget modern trends, Frontlines take us straight back to the early 1990s when Pantera were flying the flag for metal in the mainstream when things were otherwise a bit stale. The beast that Frontlines have unleashed is what could be described as Pantera reincarnated. We have that Anselmo-esque tough-guy growl and more groove than a club full of 70s disco throwbacks, man. ‘Rise Above’ kicks it all off coming at you like a ton of bricks with some seriously heavy, chugging guitars. ‘Mind Default Arrow’ has a confrontational swagger driving it along; this sounds like it could be straight off Cowboys From Hell in fact it reminds a little of ‘Message In Blood’. Too much shred for one recycle bin, and it has plenty of muscle. Yup, this is meaty, unwashed, uncivilised man metal if ever I heard it. ‘My Own Path’ punches you right between the eyes; a pissed off, uncompromising assault on the senses.

If originality is what you want then you won’t find it here. Frontlines are treading very well-trodden paths here but they do it remarkably well. Unleashed The Beast is refreshingly old-school, and an antidote to the plague of metalcore mediocrity of today.

http://www.myspace.com/frontlinesmetal

Luci Herbert

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