Band : Final Prayer

Album title : Filling The Void

Label : GSR Music

Distributor : Suburban

Release date : 16/05/2008

Release : CD

Based in the Berlin suburb Kreuzberg, this German Hardcore quintet was formed in 2004. After a few jam sessions, things evolved rather quickly, the band issuing their first recordings on a limited edition tape which sold out in no time, but still got mentioned as "Demo Of The Month" in German leading magazine Rock Hard.

After a split CD with their Stuttgart buddies Crisis Never Ends (on Punchline Productions ?), the Berlin Five (singer Stephan Pankratz, guitarists Florian " Flo " Mänz and Marcus " Mac " Zehe , bassist Felix Heiduk , and drummer Pascal Quandt ) recorded their first full-length which got released in January 2006 on the small imprint Let It Burn , with rave reviews in all leading Hardcore and Metal magazines as a direct result. To fill the gap in between full-length releases, FP released a split 7-inch with San Francisco based Hardcore outfit Alcatraz on the Demons Run Amok label in June 2007. The band upholding a strong work ethic, every release was followed by extensive touring, the highlights of which were supporting Comeback Kid on their 2007 European tour, playing supports for Hatebreed , and playing their music in front of an audience of thousands at the With Full Force festival. But they've also played the smallest and dirtiest of clubs all over Germany, and the band's approach towards their live performances apparently always stayed the same: Hardcore all the way, no matter what!

Having signed to Dutch label GSR Music (which has grown to one of the most respected Hardcore European labels over the last two years), the Berliners returned to their hometown's Daily Hero Recordings studio in December 2007 to record 11 new blistering tracks (one instrumental intro and 10 songs totalling only 32 ½ minutes listening pleasure), which were then mastered by famed producer Alan Douches (see Hatebreed , Sick Of It All , and many, màny others!!!). No need to tell you, the sound is devastating! After the instrumental intro, the album starts off with the crushing "Annihilation" and same-minded "Wartime". But the album's material ain't of a neck-breaking capacity throughout, because you also get a couple of sing-along anthems with the ensuing "In Denial" and "Fashion Parade" . After that, intensities wil alternate to bring variation to the album. Lyrically, the quintet take on things from the socio-political angle, a song like "Doomsday Of The New Gods" dealing with the future problems of global warming, the album closing "More Than Just Music" with the fact that while music on itself will not change the world, the lyrics may inspire some people to change their own way of life. Check out the band's diversity by surfing to myspace.com/finalprayer, where you get the devastating "Wartime" set against the more melodic "In Denial" , as well as one song off each previous release from the band (including a version of "Annihilation ", as it was featured on the split with Alcatraz )...as well as a couple of videos. By the way, looks like the guys have made some good friends, as this album also sees a couple of guest appearances ( Make It Count! 's Harry bringing in an extra voice to the aforementioned "In Denial" , Punishable Act 's Mike doing the same on "More Than Just Music" , which also sees additional guitars played by Domi " Dombag " Glöckner ).

The label pags the album as food "For fans of Hatebreed , Terror , Born From Pain , and Throwdown , and I would have to agree with that assessment this time around, the band's all-out Hardcore indeed getting that extra bit of Metallic tinge which sets it apart from Hardcore tout-court! Vinyl junkies will be pleased to find that this album will see a release in the form of their favourite sound carrier pretty soon on Demon Run Amok . Seen the album's length that should be no problem at all!

90/100

Tony.