| CD REVIEW Dead Shape Figure |
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Band: Dead Shape Figure Finland’s Dead Shape Figure, with (former) members of Lithuria and Overrun, was founded in 2003, and live on stage, this band has a strong reputation. They performed in, especially, their home country and the Baltic States (a scene slightly comparable to Finland’s), yet there was a European tour too, along with bands such as Moonspell, Cradle Of Filth, Chimaira and Turisas. And in Ukraine, for example, they once did a gig before an audience of more than 4,000 people. Their second full length (they debuted with a mini in 2004, Tomorrow Changes Nothing, followed by the first full album in 2008, called The Grand Karoshi, released through Season Of Mist), does not differ that much from their former efforts. The Disease Of St. Vitus stands for a modern form of Death Metal-injected Thrash Metal, like it was the case in the past, yet with one important evolution: the song structures. These are much, much more mature and deep-thought than before, lacking of silly catchiness (with some exceptions, unfortunately) and lacking of ‘looking-for-an-own-face’ (which was the case with, especially, the ’04-mini recording). This kind of Thrash/ Death Metal isn’t that unusual in Finland. The translation from an eighties-oriented Thrash-spirit into a 21st century’s approach does not bring that ‘waw’-effect anymore nowadays. But especially the Swedish Modern Metal scene comes to mind: The Haunted, Corporation 187 or related bands; as well as the ‘trans-European’ one – think Dew-Scented, Hatesphere, Virgin Snatch and so on. And [some place beneath the Earthly surface] yeah, if you want to, why not referring to (early) Metallica or Nuclear Assault from time to time? Indeed, The Disease … is as differing, and predictable, at the same time. Nothing really surprises, yet time after time, the energy and professionalism are touching. The album sounds catchy, close to commercial stimuli, and the aim to reach a huge audience, as big as possible, won’t be any problem. No, the performance, as well as the song writing… sufficient – nothing more, nothing less. The track "Face On The Nails", finally, was released as single/ video clip too a few months ago – let’s call it the (stupid and pathetic yet inevitable and financially necessary) commercialised side of the current scene… 75/100 Ivan Tibos.
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