This is Betzefer’s second full album since the start of their existence in 1997. In that time they’ve supported heavyweights like Soulfly, Sepultura and Lamb of God. Personally, I thought “Trivium” and “Metallica” when I heard them. You probably get the idea if you haven’t heard them.
“Freedom to the Slave Maker” has the production of a live album, and so it came as no surprise when I read after listening to it that it was recorded in the format of a live recording session to make it more “organic”. I think it works better like this as Hardcore, Metalcore or whatever you want to call it is best appreciated in a sweaty live atmosphere rather than a sterile environment. One thing I very much liked is that rather than leaping from one technical riff to another, time is taken for headbanging sessions on most tracks. I guess this is a function of experience. Its core is deep and dark, and there’s only one of those “We are the Boys” type choruses, on “Doomsday” for the record, and that’s ok. My favourite track was the first one “Bestseller”. It’s a piece of ball-squeezing and tight metal with a great groove line and harsh vocals. Strangely the hooky rhythm is reminiscent of modern Black Metal – Khold or similar – but this is far from Black Metal. This is pure, Americanised Metal with a good deal of technicality, brutality and in parts, flamboyance. Driving drums and guitar solos abound but above all each track is noteworthy for surging forward in a steady and “Metal” way. “Freedom to the Slave Maker” could be accused of being hypnotic and mechanical, so much so that at one point I wasn’t sure whether “Nothing but Opinions” had finished and “Empty Magazine” had started. “Doomsday” follows the same pattern but with the aforementioned chorus, which will give the crowd something to sing along to. The dark and chunky rhythm is put to good effect on “Perfect Lie” and once again is structured to provide moments of engaging Metal in amongst the standard format.
“Freedom to the Slave Maker” is a good album but after a promising beginning, not really an adventurous one. I can see that Betzefer would be an excellent live filler band, hence they have been invited to play at the Ozzfest in their native Israel, but this album just doesn’t have enough twists and turns to make it exceptional.
http://www.myspace.com/betzefer
http://www.betzefer.com
http://www.afm-records.de
