Artist - In Battle
Album - Welcome To The Battlefield
Label - Metal Blade Records (2004)
Reviewer - Eric Beyer
To start, I must say this is by far one of the heaviest, yet finest recordings I have ever heard. You can actually make out the guitar work, make sense of the drums, the vocals are in your face yet sweet to listen to, and last but definitely not least, and you can hear the bass tastefully!
This remarkable album started its recording venture in Sweden, using two different studios for the drums and the guitars and bass. From there, the band flew to Tampa and laid the vocals down, and stayed put to mix and master the final product, which was completed by producer Erik Rutan. He says, “This is f**king killer man, I am proud to be a part of this album.” Erik also has a guest appearance on track 7, “Serpents,” which kicks in the last third part of the song. This track has sweet moves as it is, then Erik comes in with an eerie solo.
In the beginning, the album starts with a couple seconds, no more, of lightning fast drums, and leads into guitar and screaming vocals. The sheer pounding captivates you. Sandin later gives out a throat ripping yell, where you can feel it in your head. Track 3, “Eld Jattar,” has riffs and beats that will make you want to head bang. Jumping down to track 9, “Stonefaced Mountain,” there is almost a groove in this amazing song. The technical work by all members of the band, as well as harmonies blows me away, and will definitely take you!
This album is sitting top of my list right now. These guys put this album together very well. The flow of the album couldn’t be better. Welcome To The Battlefield is a great staple in how metal should sound these days.
Get out there and enjoy it!
Track Listing:
1. Shunned By Life
2. Madness
3. Eld Jattar
4. Scorched World
5. Soul Metamorphosis
6. Despoter
7. Serpents
8. Blood Divine
9. Stonefaced Mountains
10. King God
11. Mass Produced Hybrid Humans
