Arsis – Starve For The Devil
1. Forced To Rock
2. A March For The Sick
3. From Soulless To Shattered (Art In Dying)
4. Beyond Forlorn
5. The Ten Of Swords
6. Closer To Cold
7. Sick Perfection
8. Half Past Corpse O'Clock
9. Escape Artist
10. Sable Rising
Despite a namesake likely to provoke no small amount of toilet humour, Arsis prove a little-known powerhouse of technical wizardry. Boasting a deceptively Scandinavian sound, these US melodic merchants play fast and loose with choice cuts of death metal, thrash and rock. Inspired by guitarist James Malone’s battle with anorexia, ‘Starve For The Devil’ reconciles seething aggression with upbeat melodies, spawning an ultimately well-balanced studio offering.
Infused with the primal lure of raw speed, ambitious opus ‘Starve…’ encompasses a broad gamut of genres. Crushing grooves rage alongside melodic flourishes and rock ’n’ roll licks, comprising a catchy though exhibitionist stab at innovative modern metal. ‘Half Past Corpse O’Clock’ is by far the most successful product of this experimental formula. Matched with blackened vocals, its bass-heavy content is accompanied by a sweeping, yet tastefully understated melodic bridge.
Such subtlety is, however, absent from ‘Forced To Rock,’ whose AC/DC-tinged lyrics and stadium rock outbursts will no doubt displease extreme music purists. Power metal showboating aside, ‘…Rock’ demonstrates brutal vocal talent and typically flawless execution as shrill hooks are neatly hemmed in by a relentless wave of blastbeats. ‘The Ten Of Swords’ illustrates Arsis’ additional penchant for multi-textured axemanship, spanning rusty thrash to neoclassical notes and screeching solos. ‘Beyond Forlorn’ also demonstrates eclectic content, opening on a slick, albeit brief stint of muted bass, which accelerates toward a shrill, bone-splintering climax.
Though Arsis explores melodic territory already well-trodden by their European predecessors, ‘…Starve’s’ exhilarating momentum and intricate melodies make for enjoyably infectious fodder.
Reviewed by Faye Coulman
‘Starve For The Devil’ is out now on Nuclear Blast
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