Today, I'm excited to share my thoughts on a band I recently discovered through the excellent Black Metal Promotion YouTube channel: Path of Redemption. This Spanish outfit has just unleashed their debut E.P., 'Echoes from the Depths,' a release that immediately caught my attention. Let's dive into what this promising new act has to offer.
Track 1: The first track starts with some pretty cool ambiance that kicks straight into a kick-to-snare rhythm. The way this track sets off is quite traditional in terms of how most black metal generally sounds. I was a fan of the tempo change and the introduction of the super-quick tremolo-picked lines around the halfway mark of the song. Also, the vocals in this part—quick, punchy, and harsh—complement the song very well. A quick shout-out for the guitar parts after this section, too. They bring on a more melodic tone, one which is quite clean and "easy to hear," and I liked the way the melody momentarily took the song in a different direction. A great opening track.
Track 2: Track 2's intro was very calming and sounded very bittersweet. Personally, this was my second favorite track on the E.P. I think that this timing and overall sound are where the band shines brightest, and I truly hope to hear more music in this style on new material in the future. I like how the pacing allows all of the other layers to come through the earphones with nice clarity.
The section around the halfway mark was also super interesting, and I thought that it was introduced in a cool way: a nice sharp hammer-on shred met with three kicks and a snare. These closing moments sounded super devilish and were executed with great musicianship. I also really liked the eerie guitar melodies woven into the outro, while the simple but very prominent 4/4 beat and very dark and foreboding vocals loudly whisper in your ear.
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Track 3: This track was easily my favorite. I think that this song was a great show of musicianship and is for sure host to the most melancholy melodies. I also believe that this song boasts the musical prowess of each member and highlights their frequent changes in musical style. It goes from classic black metal to more sad, groove-woven layers which seem to go off in their own direction. This song also has the best vocals on the album, if I'm honest. I love how direct and in-your-face they are. A little shout-out for the awesome addition of super-quick quad hits on the cymbals in the closing moment. That little bit of extra spice 100% did the song justice.
Track 4: Although Track 4 was the shortest, I feel it is the best "sounding" on the album in terms of how well you can hear each instrument. As a massive fan of music that takes this direction, I can happily say that it turned out beautifully, and I really do hope to hear more material like this in the future. I just wished it was a little bit longer.
Overall: Overall, I'd say that this album was a brilliant debut, and I'll be keeping a close eye on these guys in the future. I feel that each member pulls their weight, and they have a great lineup. The direction each song takes is very unique and has a lot to offer. I wish that this album had slightly better production so you could hear the faster songs a bit clearer, but it's not "vital." I'd happily give this album a solid 8/10 and wish them all the best.
BlackenedSoundscape.
9-10: Exceptional
7-8: Good, Great
5-6: Average, Decent
3-4: Fair, Mediocre
1-2: Poor, Subpar
Grading system.
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