Brutal, technical death metal from Canada.
INVOCATION
(2002) FEAR DARK
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Line-up: Dharok (aka Derek From) - All instruments and Vocals Guest: Angel - Additional Vocals |
Sympathy delivers ultra-brutal, yet technical, death metal. Expect an all-out death metal frenzy, that rarely puts its guard down. But despite the extremely fast playing, with tons of blast beats everywhere, it doesn't take you long to realize that Sympathy's music holds more then just fast playing. The songs are very well structured, and again, despite the brutal sound and style, Dharok still manages to keep it interesting. I would even dare to call the music progressive in nature. Derek is one multi-talented musician. He is a great guitar-player and vocalist (from death growls to the more extreme!). I also like his use of keys throughout this album. Luckily this man knows his way around a drum machine. Otherwise this could easily have become a thorn in the side of an otherwise awesome death metal onslaught. I cannot believe that this CD didn't help get Derek a secular recording contract. The track "Occupy" alone is worth the admission. "Christus Factus Est" is a rendition of a classical piece written by Josef Anton Bruckner.
Trivia: Jeffray Arwadi from Kekal drew the artwork for the cover.
Killer tracks: Invocation, Fey Illusion, Occupy, Realm Of Disease
ARCANE
PATH (2004) FEAR DARK
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Line-up: Dharok (aka Derek From) - All instruments and Vocals Guest: Angel - Additional Vocals Tim Roth - Additional Lead Guitars on 3, 5, 6 Rob Doherty - Additional Lead Guitar on 5 |
This release from Canada's Sympathy shows a "band" that has evolved. The production overshadows its predecessor. The bass have been given more room in the mix, and the drum machine sounds even less prominent here. And the music, while very good on the last effort, is even better on 'Arcane Path'. Man, what a blast it is to listen to the creations Dharok produces. In combining the brutality and speed of traditional death metal, with the more atmospheric and symphonic parts of black metal, 'Arcane Path' delivers some breathtaking music. It's brutal, it's relentless, it's a non-stop sonic assault, but it is also technical virtuoso, melodic and progressive without compromising the intensity. "Realms Of Disease" is a re-recorded track originally on 'Invocation'. Also look out for guest appearances from Tim and Rob from Into Eternity. This is truly one of the finest death metal albums I've ever heard.
Killer tracks: Adept Arcana, The Shining Ones, Adorned In Apostasy, The Red League, Surrounded By The Dead
ABYSSAL
THRONE (2005) MOMENTUM SCANDINAVIA
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Line-up: Dharok (aka Derek From) - All instruments and Vocals Guest: Matt Knowles - Additional Vocals Tim Roth - Additional Lead Guitars Rob Doherty - Additional Lead Guitar Dustin Olson - Additional Lead Guitar |
Uncompromising death metal is what I think is a fitting description of Dharok's compositions. This short little EP contains a nice intro, 2 remastered tracks from the 'Invocation' album, 2 new tracks, and a cover of "Torn Into Enthrallment" by Suffocation. Released in a strictly Limited Edition of only 850x with a luxurious 8 Pages 5 color booklet with gold print. The 2 new songs doesn't differ much from what Sympathy has delivered before. So fans know what to expect. Also look out for guest appearances from Tim and Rob from Into Eternity, and Matt from Royal Anguish.
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