Tears to Dust
Band: Teramaze
Label: Rowe Productions
Time: 10 tracks, 48:41
This is the second album by Aussie metal maestros Teramaze, and
it's quite frankly one of the most professional projects ever put out by
Christians. From the music to the vocals, sonics to lyrics, production
to packaging, it's all superbly well-done. They sound like they've
been at it for years. I'm not quite sure how to categorize the music
for metal fans, as it's not my usual style (of metal, that is), but it
leans toward a sort of European progressive feel. They aren't concerned
with showing off, but with creating strong songs. The vocals flirt
often with mid-range glam (no high stuff, thankfully), as in much prog,
but the hard, biting guitars underneath keep it just this side of annoying
for those fans like me who flinch at all things theatrical and pompous
in metal. Be warned that some listeners might find the vocals a bit too
dramatic, though. The last track begins with hauntingly beautiful
female vocals in the style of Left Hand Solution or the Gathering.
I wish they'd made more use of that woman's considerable talents.
The music is flowing and powerful like a river of lava, with occasional
explosions and eruptions of technical thrash. Many of those moments
are so awesome they give me chills, reminding me of mid-period Tourniquet.
"Everenhancing" especially brings to mind the slower, freakier guitar tones
of Pathogenic...-era Tourniquet. Lead guitar slips in singing
at all the right moments, accenting the songs instead of just showcasing
the player's skills. I'm told their indie debut, Doxology,
is much thrashier (and you can be sure I'll be searching it out).
The band's devotion to their Lord is seriously and sincerely presented
through solidly-written lyrics. They speak of Christ and a life of
faith quite clearly and truthfully, keeping far from cliche through good
use of imagery and a musical and vocal delivery that conveys a strong sense
of majesty. On "Deeper Crying," a sampled teacher gives a wise word:
"The ultimate purpose of faith is not what we receive....please listen....the
ultimate purpose of faith is to please God." Right on.
By Josh Spencer
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