Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Akuma are an unsigned band from France that are making the rounds with a self-released EP called "Under A Killing Moon". The band describe themselves as a metalcore act and I would gather that is probably the best description. The group display a mammoth wall of sound on each of the four selections here, each really backed with intense stomp riffs and chained together with fast aggressive guitar strokes. One can hear influences ranging from Soilwork to Mnemic, but the group never hesitate to include some Floridian death or math metal into the formula.

"Perpetual Improvement" sounds like Swedish fast death comparable to "Chainheart Machine" era Soilwork. The group also lace some intricate and distorted synths and samples into the background, creating a rich dynamic sound. "Scars And Poetry" has some random lead work and riffs that combine on a math-metal level, possibly comparable to something Dying Fetus or even Immolation would try. The band really only showoff brief moments of melody on "Maximum Overkill" which coincidently is my favorite of the bunch.

In closing, the ear that really wants to hear some ear candy and maybe some clean vocals or hook lines really shouldn't look too far into Akuma. The hardcore mosher who just wants total stomping aggressive guitar will do well here, maybe for fans of War Of Ages, early Soilwork, early Raise Hell or the mean death metal out of Sweden or Denmark. Production wise this may appeal to everyone because it sounds absolutely amazing considering it is just a self-release. Jacob Hansen or Tue Madsen probably couldn't improve on this very much considering the production standards put in place.