Apoch's Metal Review - Acrassicauda: Only the Dead See the End of the War CD Review

Discography	Discography covers all information available up to day of review and is updated if future albums are reviewed.
EP(s):	Only the Dead See the End of the War (2010)
Single(s):	Garden of Stones (2009)
Demo(s):	The Black Scorpion (2004) • The Damascus Demos (2006)

Review

Some people may know the name Acrassicauda from the documentary DVD Heavy Metal In Baghdad, and if you didn't see the film, then let this be a wake up call for you. Only The Dead See The End Of The War is the debut EP from the now U.S.A.-based metal act that originally formed in Iraq, and it's a very promising release from this not so new act. It is also highly overdue since the band was originally formed in back in 2000 with only one demo release under their belt prior to this release.

Only The Dead See The End Of The War is a very traditional sounding EP, but also brings in some of the group's Middle Eastern roots to the music, which really does add some originality to the music. The music on here will bring you back to the late eighties and early nineties of Heavy and Thrash Metal, especially with "Message From Baghdad", a very heavy and fast paced track that hits you like an oncoming train, and "The Unknown" which is a little slower, but just as equally heavy and a little deeper as far as the musical structure goes, as well as has a long and very talented guitar solo. The other two tracks on here, "Garden of Stones" and "Massacare" are still as good as the rest, but may not hit you with the full impact right away.

"Massacare" is another great track, as well as the hardest track off the album with it's much slower pace, with exception to the fast guitar solo, that has a clear Metallica influence. "Garden of Stones" comes across as more of a song that goes towards the band's roots in the the guitar riffs used, setting a bit of a Middle Eastern feel to the track, which is executed perfectly to not overpower the track. This is the only track that really gets into the musical background and heritage of the band.

There is so much going on during Acrassicauda's debut EP Only The Dead See The End Of The War that it's hard to go into it and expect one specific thing. Each track on here emits it's own brand of Metal, but in the end they are all very commanding. It's clear that this is going to be an act to keep an eye on, especially if this EP is any indication of what would appear on a full length.

Digital review copy of this release provided by:
Vice Records.

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