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Band
The Wake
Title
Death-A-Holic
Type
LP/EP
Company
Candlelight
YOR
2006
Style
Death
Popular Reviews
7/2/2006 - Review by: Eric Compton
The Wake - Death-A-Holic - 2006 - Candlelight Records

Track Listing
1. Suicide Manual
2. Rejected
3. One More Way
4. Downward Groove
5. Instrumental
6. The Elbow Of Zeus
7. Good For Nothing
8. Mindless Wrecking Progress
9. Death-A-Holic
10. Nailgun
More melodic death thrash makes its way to US shores courtesy of Candlelight Records. The label has agreed to distribute the Spinefarm release "Death-A-Holic" from Finland's The Wake (possibly titled The True Wake). This marks the band's second effort to date, a follow-up to the well received debut "Ode To My Misery". The act first established themselves in 1998, recording a few demos before gaining the attention of Spinefarm. With Candlelight signing so many of these types of aggressive bands, it was only a matter of time before the group found themselves stocked at US stores. "Death-A-Holic" is certainly not a bad record, and depending on what type of metal fan this sound falls on, it could be the best thing since Arch Enemy and Darkane. However, and I have stressed this many MANY times, at this point I am really tired of this sound. Sure, the guitar riffs are done well. The drummer can play along nicely, incorporating double bass and accurate patterns behind the kit. At times the whole thing moves with perfect melody and harmony. But with so many bands doing this so many times, I'm left a little bit more than just frustrated. I've heard every band under the sun play this form of "Gothenburg" metal, dating back to the early '90s with At The Gates. When you have great, innovative bands like In Flames, Arch Enemy, Killswitch Engage, and so on and so forth recording album after album...well these "underdog" aspiring bands just get pushed under the rug.
In terms of talent and musicianship, The Wake are up to par. Vocally this singer comes a dime a dozen. I really wish we could hear more clean singing thrown in and maybe some slower tempo songs. As this style shifts and changes a band like The Wake could find their niche if they grow along with it.



--EC 04.28.06

  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: THE WAKE
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
 REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Death-A-Holic
2006
Candlelight
Eric Compton7/2/2006
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: THE WAKE
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