Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
December
Title
The Lament Configuration
Type
LP/EP
Company
Earache
YOR
2002
Style
Death
3/11/2003 - Review by: AFS
December - The Lament Configuration - reviewed by: AFS

Track Listing1. Icenine
2. Vertigo
3. Waiting for Rain
4. Host
5. Trial
6. The Sleeping Throne
7. Token Gesture
8. By Example
9. Play Dead
10. Quiet Cold
Produced by metal mastermind Devin Townsend, December’s “The Lament Configuration” is a pleasant surprise.

Despite some of its hardcore elements, December really seems to not fall into a particular genre of metal much like Lamb of God and from the opening track, “Icenine”, the influence of LoG is prevalent.
Unlike most Townsend produced albums, there seems to be a lack of harmonics both within the guitars and the vocals. There is no singing, just distorted screams. Unfortunately, the distortion may take away from the raw vocal styles some of you may look for. The music does carry the album as none of the songs blend together and ,like you’d find with Lamb of God, there are plenty of time and rhythmic changes.

December offers up plenty of good music to choose from. “Vertigo” is a high intensity, groove-laced track that has all the makings of a great song. “Trial” is a four-minute showcase of how to do a good hardcore/metal track right. Unfortunately, Lamb of God did it first.

This album has everything good about hardcore/metal. Unfortunately, despite Devin’s excellent work from the booth, December comes across at times as a Lamb of God rip-off. December shows a lot of promise. Yes, this album lacks some originality, but the fact remains that the disc is still a well-written and well-produced album that deserves a spin in everyone’s CD players.

--AFS 03.12.03
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: DECEMBER
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
The Lament Configuration
2002
Earache
AFS3/11/2003
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: DECEMBER
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


<< back >>