Review of Premonitions Of War - Left In Kowloon

Premonitions of War has to be one of the coolest band names I have come across in a while. When you hear something like that you know you’re going to have to be prepared for music that is unrelenting, ferocious, and sinister all at the same time. Premonitions of War is all that and then some. Fusing forms of death, grind, and hardcore into a menacing combination, Premonitions of War is yet another band that streamlines more along the metal-side of things that are being added to Victory Records roster. Left of Kowloon signals the bands second full-length release since their inception in 2000. I have not heard their previous release, but if it is anything like Left of Kowloon, then it is worth looking into.

Employed here are crushing guitars backed with a chaotic rhythm section and some menacing vocals. With the average song ranging only from a minute to two minutes long, you know these guys mean business when it comes to speed. With breakdowns that will tear your face off, the uncompromising quintet has set forth to leave the masses left in the wake of their destruction. In addition, B. Wharton’s menacing gruff death growl speaks on its own levels and fits the heaviness of the band perfectly. The band does take time to slow things down with two tracks tossed into the middle. “Black Den” starts chaotically, but quickly slows down to become a bit of a more drawn out “noise-core” type affair, similar to maybe Cult of Luna or Isis, but heavier. The following song, “Cables Hum Overhead” is where the band goes avant-garde on us. An industrial-like stint combined with B. Wharton throwing some harsh dual-vocals over it. Both are decent tracks and provide a break from the speed and chaos (the track “The Octopus” even takes time to show off their southern rock influence and proves this band isn’t afraid to think outside the lines).

I still have to say that this band excels when its’ aiming to rip you limb from limb. The speed and chaotic fury of songs like “Mother Night Revisited” and “Stolen Breath” along with tracks like “Layover” that just tear into you like an enraged black rhinoceros are what kept me coming back. The only downside, there’s just not enough here. Sure, these songs kick ass, but if it were not for “Black Den” and “Cables Hum Overhead” this album would sure as hell be lacking in musical duration (those two tracks combine for a third of the albums total time). I just wish there were more full on songs here, but that is about my only real gripe with the album, it just seems like it is over before it gets started. However, I still find it to be a solid and enjoyable release all the same. If you dig ultra-brutal metalcore and grind type stuff, this will be right up your alley.

Release Details

Premonitions Of War

Left In Kowloon

Comments

Related