Artist: The Retaliation Process
Title: Downfall
Type: Album
Label: Silverwolf Productions

I think it’s fair to say that The Retaliation Process are not trying to break new ground in Metal with “Downfall”. Instead of trying to create something innovative, they have laid their belief in groove-laden, for the most part thrashy songs and anthems. The statement that their music will appeal to fans of Machine Head, Lamb of God, Slayer, The Haunted and Pantera covers the direction they come from. Listening to “Downfall”, I could just picture them on stage at a major Metal festival giving the audience what they want.

Does it matter that it’s not that original? Quite simply no. So long as it’s powerful, interesting and technically good, that’s fine. The Retaliation Process tick all these boxes. The album starts with “Uprising”, a piece of in-your-face Metal. It comes at you from all angles, the changes of pace make it interesting, but it’s easy to follow. “Blindfolded” contains more brutal and hooky riffage. The melodic Death/Sludgy style caused me to sense a similarity in guitar style with fellow Germans Disbelief. There’s a lot in there but most of all it’s relentless and hangs together well. The crunchy guitar work adds the edge, while the vocalist’s penetrative croaks are perfect for the scenario they’re creating. You’re not going to walk out if the room out of disinterest. The next couple of tracks blast on in the same way and have the characteristic motion, but are darker than the previous ones. “Carnal Addiction” has the tones of The Haunted. The heavy guitar work in the background is magical. One thing I appreciated very much about “Downfall” as an album was there is very little by way of guitar solos. This is about co-ordinated effort and Metal teamwork. My favourite track on the album was “Down”. Relentless as ever, there’s touch of Dew Scented about this but with a large dose of melody. It’s surly and uncompromising; it has fist-clenching strength and great anthemic drama. The slower and deeper “On the Way Back” marks a style change but we’re soon back to killer riffs as the album weaves in and out of darkness through a constant and relentless stream of heaviness, motion and melody.

“Downfall” is a good, honest piece of Metal. On the strength of it, I’d say The Retaliation Process are a great live band without having seen them and it’s to their great credit that they’ve managed to capture the energy of a live performance on this recorded album. Good work.

http://www.myspace.com/theretaliationprocess
http://www.silverwolf-productions.com

Andrew Doherty

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