Germany's Harasai have utilized none other than the legendary Dan Swano to mix & master their latest release, The I-Conception, and the results are a great sounding modern melodic death metal album. Problem is, Harasai haven't really come up with anything new on The I-Conception that we haven't already heard before. Melodic death metal has sadly become a barren wasteland the last few years with unique sounds few and far between, and though Harasai has put together a competent, listenable slab of metal here, it's not really anything to get overly excited about.
There's a mix of growls and clean vocals on tracks such as "A Constant Disbelief" that will remind you of Soilwork, and at their most venemous, like on "Silent Murder", "Hour of the Dead Eyes", and the semi-progressive title track, Harasai bring to mind classic era In Flames, At the Gates, and Dark Tranquility. Closing epic "This Endless Road" might be the one track here that hints at better things to come from this band, as this piece is a churning, massive amalgam of twisted riffs, atmospheric & progressive passages, intricate rhythms, tasty harmony lines, and commanding vocal growls. It's easily the best track on the album.
Harasai certainly have all the tools, and there are moments on The I-Conception that will lead you to believe that greatness might be in the future for this German horde. However, too much of The I-Conception is rooted in sounds and styles we've heard to death from countless bands over the last decade. That being said, if you are a big fan of melodic death metal, this will no doubt want to find a way into your genre collection.
Track Listing
1 The Chosen Way 1:48
2 … Into Oblivion 4:53
3 A Constant Disbelief 4:18
4 Silent Murder 3:59
5 I - Conception 5:23
6 The Void Within 2:35
7 Hour of the Dead Eyes 5:16
8 Spearhead of Storms 4:14
9 Destructive Masquerade 3:49
10 This Endless Road 8:24
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