Metal Storm logo
Terror Empire - The Empire Strikes Black review




Bandcamp music player
Reviewer:
7.9

7 users:
8
Band: Terror Empire
Album: The Empire Strikes Black
Release date: February 2015


01. The Empire Strikes...
02. ...Black
03. The Servant
04. Skinned Alive
05. Revolution Now
06. The Route Of The Damned
07. Man Made Of Sand
08. Reality Check
09. Protective Wolves
10. Strings Of Rebellion
11. Good Friends Make The Best Enemies
12. Break The Cycle

"Adventure? Excitement? A Jedi craves not these things. You are reckless." Reckless indeed, bitches! The sheer reckless aggression that Terror Empire serves up will destroy your eardrums like the Empire destroyed Alderaan. Groove, thrash, some death metal, a bit of hardcore, this melange of modern extreme metal lays in wait like an exogorth space slug.

"Luke. You will go to the Dagobah System. There you will learn from Sepultura and Angelus Apatrida, the Jedi Masters who instructed me." While their schooling may be audible, Terror Empire has transcended their influences and made metal music all their own, adding appropriate melody and an undeniable groove, with progressive elements aiding in the arc of each track. Basically, "When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the master."

Like life aboard the Death Star, evil abounds on this record. But so does fun. Playful guitar solos such as in "Skinned Alive" and "Man Made Of Sand" remind us that even villains get to have a chuckle from time to time. "Laugh it up, Fuzzball." Now back to being evil. "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy" than this rhythm section. The heavy-as-fuck bass leads the charge alongside the driving, punishing, and quite intriguing drums. These guys are vital to the success of this album as they're constantly changing things up and keeping it both interesting and intense. No one is "flying casual" here. Every transition has its purpose.

Let's seriously talk about the melodies and atmosphere. While never stealing the spotlight away from the pure aggression in the instruments and vocals, this ingredient steadily balances the rawness of the music. "Maybe it's another drill?" Negative. Terror Empire falls into no common traps of melodic thrash or the like; this balance is all their own. Vocals are growled, screamed, and yelled, utilizing every opportunity for evil and pain, and the atmosphere follows.

Ok, ok, it's good. "Great, kid. Don't get cocky." After a successful EP release in 2012, this is still only their debut. If they packed this much evil into a debut then their future looks very bright indeed. Let's see how they handle the challenge of a sophomore album. "Traveling through hyperspace ain't like dustin' crops, boy!"

"The force groove is strong with this one." Now stop making out with your sister and "give yourself to the Dark Side." Preview third track "The Servant" at their bandcamp site and then pre-order the album. The Empire Strikes Black is out February 23rd on Nordavind Records.





Written on 18.01.2015 by Susan appreciates quality metal regardless of sub-genre. Metal Storm Staff since 2006.

Twitter: @HeavyMetalSusan


Comments

Comments: 10   Visited by: 136 users
18.01.2015 - 18:23
Rating: 6
BitterCOld
The Ancient One
Love the Star Wars quotes inserted. Particularly the lack of anything done after the mid-80s. will be sure to check this out.

----
get the fuck off my lawn.

Beer Bug Virus Spotify Playlist crafted by Nikarg and I. Feel free to tune in and add some pertinent metal tunes!
Loading...
18.01.2015 - 18:25
Susan
Smeghead
There were no Star Wars films released after the mid-80s

/purist Shhhh...
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Loading...
19.01.2015 - 01:36
Ilham
Giant robot
Haha, great review Susan. Could be a fun album to check out.
Loading...
19.01.2015 - 17:15
Susan
Smeghead
Written by deadone on 19.01.2015 at 03:19

Sounds cool even though the album title makes me think black exploitation flicks from the 1970s.


Oh my god you're right! I need to do a Blaxplotation themed review now with quotes from Superfly, Foxy Brown, and "SHAFT!" hahahaha
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Loading...
20.01.2015 - 17:33
BloodTears
ANA-thema
A Portuguese band, what a good surprise

Your description reminds me of another Portuguese band, Switchtense, which I love. I will be checking this out!
----
Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29

Like you could kiss my ass.


My Instagram
Loading...
28.01.2015 - 17:54
AnGina--
Dark Phoenix
I have no interest in this album whatsoever, so gotta say way to go band for the title choosing. It will surely get a lot of attention from SW schmocks, such as myself. Anyway, Susan, loved the review, because you so seemingly effortless inserted just the right quotation next to an actual review of the sound. Thumbs up woman, this is probably the best review of an album I haven't/won't listen(ed) like.... ever.
----
You think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it. Molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was a man. But it was nothing to me but blinding.
Loading...
28.01.2015 - 20:29
Susan
Smeghead
Written by AnGina-- on 28.01.2015 at 17:54

I have no interest in this album whatsoever, so gotta say way to go band for the title choosing. It will surely get a lot of attention from SW schmocks, such as myself. Anyway, Susan, loved the review, because you so seemingly effortless inserted just the right quotation next to an actual review of the sound. Thumbs up woman, this is probably the best review of an album I haven't/won't listen(ed) like.... ever.


Girl I was wondering when you were going to see this one!!! Hahaha thank you - your words mean a lot to me as a fellow SW junkie
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Loading...
29.01.2015 - 18:00
AnGina--
Dark Phoenix
Written by Susan on 28.01.2015 at 20:29
fellow SW junkie


----
You think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it. Molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was a man. But it was nothing to me but blinding.
Loading...
24.02.2015 - 04:03
Darkside Momo
Retired
Written by Susan on 18.01.2015 at 18:25

There were no Star Wars films released after the mid-80s

/purist Shhhh...

come on... there were the "Special Edition" versions in '97
OKay, call them re-releases
----
My Author's Blog (in French)


"You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you"

"I've lost too many years now
I'm stealing back my soul
I am awake"
Loading...
24.02.2015 - 04:33
Susan
Smeghead
Written by Darkside Momo on 24.02.2015 at 04:03

Written by Susan on 18.01.2015 at 18:25

There were no Star Wars films released after the mid-80s

/purist Shhhh...

come on... there were the "Special Edition" versions in '97
OKay, call them re-releases


Haha I haven't decided if I acknowledge their existence or not...

Though I do OWN them - it was the only way I could get the original theatrical version on a DVD at the time!!! (It's the bonus disc - thanks Lucas)
----
"A life all mine
Is what I choose
At the end of my days"
--The Gathering "A Life All Mine" from Souvenirs
Loading...

Hits total: 3510 | This month: 9