Review of Paths of Possession - The End Of The Hour

Sometimes I get weary of extreme metal. Mind you this does not happen too often. But when it does, I like to shift my seat to a good old-fashioned primitive style of death metal. Obituary, Atrocity, or Jungle Rot usually do the trick. Paths of Possession gets the job done as well, but has a slower absorbency rate. It's slow to mid paced grinding old-school death clearly Floridian in style and isn't out of the norm really, but it's their kick ass riffery and darker harmonies that identify them.

You have to appreciate the details to see The End of the Hour in its finest form. A fantastic production makes this easier to do (Erik Rutan is the premier producer in death metal right now), displaying a thick and crunchy guitar tone that simply crushes craniums when belting out the unorthodox chords and the juicy palm-muted stomp grooves. POP know how to bring the crush, but they also like to use some melody. Clearly, I am not always in the stands when melody plays the big game, and there are some here that close in on the verge of whistleable ("In Offering of Spite", "Pushing Through the Pass"). Thankfully that line is never quite crossed, as they really make an effort to retain the burnt toast feel rather than sprinkled pop-tarts. Great emphasis is placed on the audibility of bass guitar notes, while Rutan's pro production job uses the bass drum as a greater source for the low end sound. And I give Corpsegrinder credit. I think he may think he has greater range than he really does, but this is a man giving 110% to helping craft the vision of the band. The songs seem to be structured as an exercise in storytelling, and surprisingly not all are soaked in gore. I wonder, do these guys gather for a Lovecraft book discussion on Tuesday nights?

Truth be told, I have 2005's Promises in Blood, but my cd organization system makes it easier to find Jimmy Hoffa than to dig it up and make critical comparisons. I do remember listening to it several times upon receipt, then losing it to the scattered abyss of my home media section. But I can tell you this; It didn't strike me or generate the replay value that The End of the Hour currently does. This is some very competent old-school creeping death in its complete format, decorated with thick production, passionate songwriting, and a sense of distinction and purpose. Evade the current trends and discover the value of The End of the Hour.

Repeat Offenders:

"The Ancient Law": The chord at 2:16 is beauty in grotesqueness. Complete crush at 3:10. You supply the pissed off metal grimace.

"I Am Forever": A collection of beefy chords and intricate shredding. A clinic in death diversity.

"Ash Is Falling Rain": Opening chords promote structural steel failure.

"Engulfing the Pure": Corpsegrinder RAGES. I actually come back to this song for the conviction and fury in the vocals and lyrics.

Release Details

Paths of Possession

The End Of The Hour

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