I really liked their last album, so hoping this one holds up. The first track feels like it's going in a more mainstream, Mastodon-like direction. Though we do get touches of their more native New Zealand feel. Less of a nu-metal feel here, the closest it gets to nu-metal would be Sevendust. "Mau Moko" is marginally more tribal, but "1000 Friends "is much more inspired regarding the vocal arrangement. The other instruments fall in line with that.
They play it safer on "Hanging By a Thread", before mixing their heritage in a way that recalls "Roots" with the percussive elements that propel "Tama-nui-te-ra" which proves to be more interesting. "Myself to Blame" finds them leaving room in the song to play to the strength of the soulful vocals. "Tani Wha" features Randy Blythe, for a heavier take on things that is still consistent with modern metal's expectations. "Blackened Sky' finds the pace energetic as they race along melodic grooves. Then things get even more thrashing for "Te Riri..." which lends itself to the dynamics of the more melodic chorus. The guitar solo even goes in a melodic direction that serves the theme of the song.
I like the vocals to "Ponturi" which makes it one of the album's best songs, even if compromises some of the heaviness, it's more dynamic and effective songwriting. These guys are not trying to be the heaviest band on their island, they are just writing songs they feel which is hard to complain about. At two minutes the last song is almost more of an outro, but there is a pretty focused theme to it. I will give this album a 9, as I feel their previous album was catchier, this one might have a bigger more polished and might even be heavier, so it might be a matter of taste, but they are true to who they are as a band here. This album drops on Napalm Records.
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