Bands from Singapore are quite rare, if by usual standards they are usually “bestial black metal” bands that create a bloody racket! This EP brings material recorded between 2006 and 2008. Whilst not being able to find extensive information about this band, they are categorized as Death/Thrash. The lyrical content deals with everything from the Middle East conflict to struggles in the world in general. Having formed in 2004, they are currently in search of a label to release a planned full length album.
This 6-tracker opens with ‘I.P.A.B. (Immensely Powerful and Brutal)’, one of their newest numbers. At the start, I am not that impressed, very death metal by numbers with guttural vocals. However, once the groove begins it makes it much more appealing. You can see where this band are going with their sound, and I could only imagine this would be even more ear pricking if it were a full on professional release, but this is still a good wholesome mix. During the solo there is the death metal chugging you normally hear in some Deicide tunes with some “eastern” influences similar to their said influence Melechesh. The guitars are very compressed like the Viral Load sound; the vocals are just like Nergal (Behemoth). ‘Sacrifice’ gets more of a British (Midlands) death metal production, more beefy and generally better in my opinion. This is much better, the band sounds much more structured in a class form and use their dropped harmonics and note bending to good effect. The drums and bass sound normal too, not processed like the opening track. The only shame is that they could not master this release a little better as you can clearly hear the differences in the recording as they were done at different time periods; the levels and the guitar/bass/drum tone for one are all different at each track. There is promise of melody and good song writing as displayed on ‘My Legacy’. Yes it’s rough around the edges but it stills holds a flame to some of the “big” releases that are out there in the market already. I was immediately drawn to this release upon first listen before the analysis began, but I am still a fan.
The death metal produced is not that different to what is already out there, however, you will find this a good source of neck pain should you pick it up.
http://www.myspace.com/oshiego
