THREAT SIGNAL-UNDER REPRISAL NUCLEAR BLAST
Threat Signal is a 4 piece Metal band that has emerged from the depths of Canada (Hamilton, Ontario to be exact). Let me be the first to warn you that their debut album “Under Reprisal” will knock you on your ass!
There are many groups or artists that try too hard to be different or apply so much experimentation into their music that it’s confusing. Some bands on the other hand manage to be successful but still miss their creative target. “Under Reprisal” is on the money in that it manages to fuse a mixture of metal genres flawlessly. They combine the techniques of Swedish melodic Metal, the aggression and brutality of Thrash Metal and a sprinkle of new age futuristic technical Metal. Add to that guttural Death Metal vocals and you have a masterpiece on your hands.
And not a moment here is wasted as the band plows through eleven mind-blowing tracks with urgency and confidence. This is evident with the opener “Rational Eyes” which, sets the pace for the rest of the album. Now, I’ve read in other articles and reviews that they sound similar to the industrial/death metal group Fear Factory. And that might be because ironically the album was produced by Fear Factory’s own Christian Olde Wolbers but, Threat Signal are far from Fear Factory clones. In fact, their sound is so refined and versatile that it will appeal to many generations of metal fans.
Each member plays an important part in the TS sound but, the epic guitar play is what will get your attention. The duo of Kyle McKnight and Rich Howard (no longer with the band), evoke memories of other axemen duos like Dave Murray and Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) or K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest). They easily mesh the melodic tones and shredding riffs with ease. Marco the bands bassist (who now takes Rich’s spot on guitar) will remind most of the great Cliff Burton. George Parfitt’s thunderous sounds on drums add depth to each track while Jon Howard’s vocal skills round everything out nicely. To say that Under Reprisal’s sonic attack is weighty, brutal and forthright is an understatement. The fusion of their prestigious influences has built a selection of impressive, multi-layered songs, which may take a few listens to fully digest.
Threat Signal has put forth an awe inspiring debut that displays energy that I haven’t heard in awhile. In my opinion, “Under Reprisal” is this year’s metal album of the year, hands down! Please support this incredible band by visiting them @ http://www.threatsignal.com/public/home.aspx or http://www.myspace.com/threatsignal Thanks. CyPhEr777
