Artist: Intense
Title: The Shape of Rage
Type: Album
Label: Pure Legend Records

In a career spanning some 20 years, this is only the UK Power metal troupe’s third album, but I can honestly say, this is certainly the best out of their collection so far. Vocalist Sean Hetherington has got some severe pipes about him, they are a little on the grittier side, but what this album brings out in Sean is much more of a solid control to both the melodies and the power screaming high notes than from earlier moments in the bands career. In fact, I really do think there is a quality and warmth similar to the great Matt Barlow (ex-Iced Earth…again!). Not content with a stellar vocal recording, the rest of the band are really showing that the bar has been raised somewhat since their last effort some four years ago. The guitar work is simply amazing, riff after riff of pure metal angst really hits the spot and I do feel that the power metal tag is so restricting, Intense have a lot more to give than merely being tagged just another power metal band. I take some of the sounds to heart and remember some of the classic US scene that I fell in love with during the 80’s, that is traditional metal and lots of melody (ok it was called US power metal!). Some of the thumping bass lines and arrangements sometimes lead into, dare I say it, Manowar territory, yes; it is that epic from time to time. I especially take note of tracks such as ‘Lie’ when I tag to this level of “epic metal”. Other storming numbers include ‘One Man’s World’ that in itself gives a new meaning to a few descriptors that spring to mind including; hook driven melody, screaming guitar riffs, and galloping traditional metal feeling to the rhythm. Did I mention the guitar work? Of course I did, but as I repeat myself I am trying to emphasise how great this album is from this perspective. I really did have to double check this release when I gave it a spin for the first time, I do not remember Intense flying the flag for metal so high, but in ‘The Shape of Rage’, this is what they do and they should be very proud of their achievement.

If you like Maiden, Iced Earth and similar ilk renditions for your daily metal fix, then ‘The Shape of Rage’ is a no brainer purchase. Intense have topped their career with a defining future classic of an album, from start to finish there is no let-up in quality and I am truly humbled with this fact. ‘The Shape of Rage’ is epic, it’s majestic, and it is UK metal at its best.

http://www.intense-uk.com

Paul Maddison

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