Counterhold - Melodic Progressive Metal - Cwmbran, South Wales, UK
There has been a ton of great music coming out of Wales recently, and local melodic prog-metal craftsmen Counterhold are certainly no exception, continuing this trend with ease. Having formed all the way back in 2009, the guys in Counterhold have spent much of that time refining their songwriting, which definitely shows on their new release with Coffee Jingle Records, “All of Them Slain”, a 13-track showcase of some of the best independent modern metal out there. The production on the album is as good as ever, so sit back, grab some headphones, and take a dive into some great local, soon-to-be worldwide, heavy music.
Clocking in at nearly an hour, “All of Them Slain” is an impressively lengthy journey through Counterhold’s infectious style of metal—one that combines the best parts of the classic 80s sound with some of the more modern conventions. There are tracks like “Out for Dead”, which are perfect, unique updates on the catchy Iron Maiden sound (“Out for Dead” is so well-written and approachable that you could almost imagine hearing it on the radio), but then there are others like “Time to Die” that transcend entire generations and waves of the genre. This track begins with some welcomed classic Maiden harmonies with the bass even joining in for the action, but at the bridge, Counterhold incorporates an unexpected, but perfect modern breakdown. All of the music cuts out as charismatic vocalist, Steve Jenkins, lets out a lulling whisper, right before the band comes back to life and blasts you with a flawless dynamic change. It’s extremely cathartic, to say the least.
Of course, on the surface, 58 minutes of metal seems like a tough pill to swallow, but Counterhold tackles that issue head-on by offering 13 exceedingly diverse songs, from the fast and melodic cuts to the slower and more brooding numbers. “Hellsgates” directly showcases the diverse range of these Wales musicians, beginning with an eerie, down-tempo intro before launching into an insane, almost-Slayer-like speed in the verses. Jenkins demonstrates his versatility by showing off his clean singing voice in “Walk on Water”, one of the record's longest tracks, crooning over an earthy acoustic guitar. Additionally, there are some fantastic solos scattered throughout the album, with those in “Fatal Taunt” and “Children of a Lesser God” really raising the talent bar for all of Cournterhold’s peers.
“All of Them Slain” closes strong with the slow-burner, “Inner Scream”, featuring some of the darkest lyrics on the album (“Kill myself to feel alive”), and bonus track “Isolation” is a perfect final surprise. It bookends this consistently solid release with one last solo and breakdown. “All of Them Slain” is a well-written, diverse album of melodic metal that is yet another fantastic addition to the banner year we’ve had in the music scene in 2013, and even with a 58-minute runtime, Counterhold’s 2013 record still leaves you wanting more by the time the noise fades—a true testament to the band’s skills and lasting value.
Official Website:
http://www.counterhold.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/counterhold
By: Max Puhala
Clocking in at nearly an hour, “All of Them Slain” is an impressively lengthy journey through Counterhold’s infectious style of metal—one that combines the best parts of the classic 80s sound with some of the more modern conventions. There are tracks like “Out for Dead”, which are perfect, unique updates on the catchy Iron Maiden sound (“Out for Dead” is so well-written and approachable that you could almost imagine hearing it on the radio), but then there are others like “Time to Die” that transcend entire generations and waves of the genre. This track begins with some welcomed classic Maiden harmonies with the bass even joining in for the action, but at the bridge, Counterhold incorporates an unexpected, but perfect modern breakdown. All of the music cuts out as charismatic vocalist, Steve Jenkins, lets out a lulling whisper, right before the band comes back to life and blasts you with a flawless dynamic change. It’s extremely cathartic, to say the least.
Of course, on the surface, 58 minutes of metal seems like a tough pill to swallow, but Counterhold tackles that issue head-on by offering 13 exceedingly diverse songs, from the fast and melodic cuts to the slower and more brooding numbers. “Hellsgates” directly showcases the diverse range of these Wales musicians, beginning with an eerie, down-tempo intro before launching into an insane, almost-Slayer-like speed in the verses. Jenkins demonstrates his versatility by showing off his clean singing voice in “Walk on Water”, one of the record's longest tracks, crooning over an earthy acoustic guitar. Additionally, there are some fantastic solos scattered throughout the album, with those in “Fatal Taunt” and “Children of a Lesser God” really raising the talent bar for all of Cournterhold’s peers.
“All of Them Slain” closes strong with the slow-burner, “Inner Scream”, featuring some of the darkest lyrics on the album (“Kill myself to feel alive”), and bonus track “Isolation” is a perfect final surprise. It bookends this consistently solid release with one last solo and breakdown. “All of Them Slain” is a well-written, diverse album of melodic metal that is yet another fantastic addition to the banner year we’ve had in the music scene in 2013, and even with a 58-minute runtime, Counterhold’s 2013 record still leaves you wanting more by the time the noise fades—a true testament to the band’s skills and lasting value.
Official Website:
http://www.counterhold.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/counterhold
By: Max Puhala