Band : QuarterBlind
Album title : The Root Of Affliction
Label : Brutal Elite records
Distributor : Candlelight - PHD
Release date : 06/09/2010
Release : CD

Gabba gabba hey! Came across this British Metal band two and a half years ago (thanks to the release of the Bleeding The Guilty album issued through Copro Records, a review for which you'll find posted on 02/12/2010) and instantly loved what they do with their hybrid of savage Thrashy rhythms, brutal break-down Death Metal antics, melodic & Progressive melodies, and mixed clean and harsh vocals!

Apparently I was not alone in the media to give the band's debut album a rave review (and the guys responded in kind by inviting me for an interview after congratulating me with my great taste in music...hahah, just kiddin' here, but the actual events díd take place), and as a result the band was given enough attention to allow them to play over 60 shows in promotion of the album, sharing stages with the likes of Sylosis, The Defiled, Seven Year Kismet, OutCryFire, Speed Theory, Choas Blood, and Trigger The Bloodshed. Evidently, playing with such already established bands moved the band to a higher profile with their audiences as well. Meanwhile the band has exchanged former frontman Daryl Self for one Nathan Hamley, and due to the band's stinginess as far as info-sharing is concerned, I am quite unable when exactly that happened. However, the man is certainly an asset to the band!

The new album (again recorded with producer Nick Hemingway) contains 13 scorching songs which will grab lovers of melodic guitar-oriented Death/ Thrash Metal with a progressive touch by the throat from the opening notes of album opener “1348” until the closing notes of the radio edit of the track “When The Dead Walk The Streets” which serves as album closer. The info sheet which we got along with the promo download of the album mentions a recommendation towards fans of In Flames, Machine Head, Metallica, Lamb Of God, The Haunted, and Iron Maiden, but don't let that fool you into thinking Quarterblind resemble any of those bands in any big way...nay, these guys are quite unique, as far as I'm concerned, and that's why their new album gets as ice a rating as their debut...and a nomination into my year-lists as well! Oh, and any fans of the above mentioned bands & the musical genre should certainly check out the songs posted at myspace.com/quarterblind! Enjoy, my friends!

98/100

Band : Tony.