Hailing from Norway comes V:28, a pretty energetic metal band that mixes in elements of prog, goth, thrash, black, death, and industrial on the second album in a proposed trilogy called SoulSaviour. These guys have the apocalyptic sound down pat, with lots of pummeling guitars, tortured vocals, eerie keyboard soundscapes, and disturbing lyrics. Think Opeth meets Strapping Young Lad meets Fear Factory and you have somewhat of an idea of what to expect on SoulSaviour.
This is pretty dramatic stuff for the most part, and there are a handful of meaty numbers here, especially the rampaging "A Prophecy Written in Uranium", with its bleak lyrics, crushing guitar work, death vocals, and haunting keyboard programming. The rhythmic behemoth that is "Infected By Life" is another winner, littered with rapid fire programmed drums, gothic death vocals, and layered guitar work. The band even goes for the juggular on the speedy thrash of "Solid Structure Unknown", a song that has Slayer intensity but comes across symphonic like a Dimmu Borgir. There's some solid progressive moments on the otherwise moody goth of "As the Sky Opens", and "Unleash the Energy" is killer black metal all the way.
Call it what you want, but SoulSaviour really doesn't fit in any one category cleanly. If you like your black/death metal with some industrial, progressive, and gothic overtones, then this CD will be right up your alley. Oh, and if the music & lyrics prove to be too much of a downer for some, there's a wonderful poster of a very sexy, scantily clad nurse if you open up the booklet fully and turn it over. This image will surely help you get your blood pressure back in the right direction, trust me!
Track Listing
11 The Brightest Light
12 Unleash The Energy
13 A Prophecy Written In Uranium
14 Infected By Life
15 The Purifying Flames
16 Solid Structure Uknown
17 As The Sky Opens
18 DeConstructor
19 Dead Men's Choir