German progressive thrash legends Mekong Delta have been around nearly 30 years now, through various line-ups and over 10 albums. Here we are in 2012 and the band have released Intersections, a compilations of earlier songs that the band have re-recorded with the current line-up, which consists of Ralph Hubert (bass guitar), Martin Lemar (vocals), Alex Landenburg (drums), Erik Adam H. Grösch (guitars), and
Benedikt Zimniak (guitars). All the songs featured here are from albums dating back to 1987 and up to 1994.
I have to admit (and shame on me) that this is my first exposure to Mekong Delta, but after hearing Intersections this is something I'm going to have to rectify immediately. Musically this is top notch stuff, a mix of speed metal, technical thrash, progressive metal, and a tiny bit of power metal. Lemar sounds a hell of a lot like Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, and some of these tracks have that classic Maiden epicness, complete with galloping rhythms, twin guitar solos and harmonies, and inventive riffing. Tunes like "The Cure", "The Healer", "Shades of Doom", and the highly technical and very proggy "Heartbeat" are ultra-precise and crisp, the musicianship spot on and the production right on point. The guitar work is spectacular throughout, as the duo lay down a wide assortment of intricate riffs and tasty solos, even diving into some doomy dirges on the crunchy "Heroes Grief".
Now that Mekong Delta is on Steamhammer/SPV, chances are they might get more of the exposure worldwide that they probably always deserved. Intersections has been a great introduction to their music for myself personally, and for those who are also new to the band this would be a good starting point as well. Longtime fans will no doubt also want to hear these older songs given an updated treatment from the current line-up.
Track Listing
1. Prophecy
2. The Cure
3. Memories of Tomorrow
4. Heroes Grief
5. Shades of Doom
6. The Healer
7. Transgressor
8. Sphere Eclipse
9. Heartbeat
10. Innocent
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