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Rating: This is my second review dedicated to the Italian underground metal, this time focusing on Last Rites, a death-thrash band from Savona formed in 1997. They initially started as a power metal band, but have hardened their sound to reach their current style. Their major influences in this phase are early Sepultura, early Death, At The Gates (excluding melodic parts), with minor influences from Cannibal Corpse. This mini CD was recorded at Nadir Studios in Genoa (the same studio where Above the Light by Sadist was recorded) in just three days in June 2005. The lyrics are mainly inspired by Possessed, Malevolent Creation, and Deicide.
After a brief eerie intro, the first song of the mini CD EQUILIBRIUM begins. Sound-wise, the first song is a cross between Cannibal Corpse and At the Gates; it's not extremely violent but manages to break through with its slower pace. As a first song, it's not bad. The drumming is almost like Obituary's. Anyway, it deserves an 8 as a first song.
The second song, the best of the EP, is SCREAMS OF DEATH. It starts immediately with very thrash and fairly fast drumming. It's practically a death metal song with thrash drumming, and here the vocals are partly scream and partly growl. In the middle of the song, there is a beautiful guitar and drum solo. A 9 is well deserved as a song.
The third song, THE EVIL'S SON, starts with a drum attack interrupted by the guitar. The whole song is driven by very precise and "square" drumming, and the chorus "BURN IN HELL" repeated several times both in scream and growl is quite catchy. An 8.5 is deserved as a first song.
The fourth song, EVIL INSIDE starts off quickly with rather fast drumming, then slows down. The drumming is interrupted several times by powerful riffs, then the song speeds up again, and an almost Sadist-like solo takes us towards the end of the song. An 8 as a fourth song.
The last song, GRIND, has an intro (it's strange but true) like Detroit Rock City by the Kiss, but only the intro. It's the shortest and most violent song with influences mainly from Cannibal Corpse and Deicide. I could almost consider it almost a "child" of Scars of the Crucifix by Deicide... A 9 as a song is almost a bullet fired at full speed.
If anyone wants to order the mini CD, they must contact the record label in Loreo (province of Rovigo) Akom Productions. At the price of only 5 euros, they can have this mini CD that surely stands alongside an EP like "The Art of War" by Vader. For more detailed information about the band, check out the band's website.
Tracklist:
EQUILIBRIUM 4:57
SCREAMS OF DEATH 4:10
THE DEVIL'S SON 4:06
EVIL INSIDE 3:47
GRIND 2:36
Total: 19:39
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