Ebony Tears
Evil As Hell
6.5
As much as I've tried to avoid the use of comparisons to other bands during my dissections, I have no choice when it comes to the new release from Ebony Tears. Evil As Hell is their first album with Century Media Records and their third studio effort to date. For the most part this band is doing their own thing, but the comparison I spoke of earlier, for me anyway, would have to be a cross between Gardenian and Soilwork. Not a bad combination if you ask me, and I'd surely feel honored to be regarded in the same paragraph as those metal monstrosities. This album starts to feed my lust for metal right from the initial taste. The first two songs alone could quite possibly make my top-ten song list for 2001, that is if I become bored enough to make one, with the remaining seven songs on Evil As Hell pretty much following the same recipe. Offering ultra-brutal, tuned down to "H" rhythms layering the menacing drum attack, Ebony Tears serves up a dish that is sure to please all hungry metalheads. The vocals come across very aggressively as all true Swedish metal bands require of their frontmen, but one complaint I do have relative to that department is the lyrics. With the lyrics being as structurally intelligent as they are on tracks one and two, it makes me wonder if the same lyricist contributed on the rest of the disc. After confirming that all lyrics were written by cofounder/guitarist Conny Jonsson, I again ask myself "WHAT THE 'EVIL AS HELL' HAPPENED?". With the little griping I do have out of the way, I am glad to have been given the opportunity to review this disc. It is a good collection of songs that for the most part keep me strapped in for the entire trip. I recommend this disc to all my fellow metal brothers and sisters for although Evil As Hell is not as evil as I thought it would be, it is a solid metal album. Last but not least, I want to commend them on their choice, intentional or not, to pay tribute to Black Sabbath ala track #5, Lowdown. That leads me to my final question. Will the band get all the royalties for that one, or will Mr. Iommi receive his much deserved portion? Favorite Track: Deviation
7.1
I need to take a minute to reiterate a few of my comments that I posted in my bio. I have said it once and will keep saying it; "Metal today is in the finest state of affair it has ever seen". Let me explain. With the exceptions of some of our old hero's of metal. I need not mention them all. Who have consistently put metal out for 15 plus years or so, and still do add releases to our collections even in the year 2001.Their sound basically inscribed with what worked for them when they first started out. While they attempt to add nuances of the new breed of musician, they generally just end up re-hashing their old sound with the exception of the killer productions that are available to them nowadays. I buy their new releases out of habit and respect and will keep doing so. But they are not of what my tangent is all about. I only speak of them because they are not of what I speak of in the words to follow. With the standard of modern metal obviously maintained by the majority of the newer school musicians, not to be mistaken with actual nu-metal. (a sign of the end of the world I might add) I am in complete amazement with the releases that just keep popping up. The talent is impeccable. The accomplishments flourishing with talent and relevance. I sit on my metalreview throne and listen to venerations of vision and intense execution. Only to be bewilder by the final product. I admit at times there is lag but the overall ratings of Millennium Metal are generally no less than a four, on the evil scale of 0-6. Which in turn makes my job incredibly difficult. I will be the first to admit it takes about one half of a brain cell to ripp a half-assed CD. No challenge what so ever. Shit-ass music speaks volumes. Whereas stellar modern metal releases leave me at a loss for words and an overall complicated dissection. In walks Ebony Tears, only amplifying and justifying my previous statements. With their latest release Evil as Hell they lack nothing in the realm of modern metal. They link intricate guitar rhythms layered with blast beats from hell. Vocals that punish the listener with an absolute angry vengeance. I would have to compare Johnny Wranning's vocal attack as a cross of Max Cavalara, if he grew a third testicle and quite possibly Speed Strid of Soilwork. Combine the two and squint with one eye and there you go. Onward to Richard Evensand's flawless performance. I have to agree with my metal brother Soulless. Is there such thing as a bad metal drummer now a days? This is one aspect that always holds true and generally is a standalone attribute to even half-assed metal. Upon many listens of Evil as Hell, Evensong's punishing assault on the skins shines though blindingly. Ebony Tears ultimate sound upon comparison would have to sit right in the vein of Carnal Forge and Soilwork. While they do concede to the elements of modern metal and an original direction they have not yet mastered the complete dimensions of a masterpiece. With in-studio scrutiny and a few shots of Jaegermiester, their next release should be nothing less of perfection. Bottom line: Ebony Tears is Millennium Metal, not to be taken lightly. Therefore get your ass out and buy Evil as Hell.
