Serenity Dies - Hacksawcracy
Self-released
Thrash Metal
6 songs (28:54)
Release year: 2010
Reviewed by Crash
Surprise of the month

With the tale of Acrassicuada becoming metal lore over the past few years, it’s easy to forget that there are other parts of the world with similar stories. Maldives is not a country that you hear about often. In typical American fashion, I had not even ever heard of the country until the tragic tsunamis a few years back that consumed much of that part of the world under water. Even though I am unfamiliar with the country, it’s culture, or it’s values I still do not expect that it is the type of place that you would normally find thrash metal.

That is where Serenity Dies comes into play. Formed in 2005, they have been causing a stir in their home country. Their self financed debut Murder, which is unheard by me apparently was a big hit locally and put them on every major bill in town. Now they have released a six song ep entitled Hawksawcracy, which they hope will reach sets of ears far beyond Maldives.

What we have here is a solid slab of thrash metal. Well, almost. The influences are obvious enough and within a song or two you can tell just which records they listened to most. But rather than scream their heads off like Slayer and thrash about like a maniac, they take a more reserved approach. The sound actually reminds me a lot of the Countdown to Extinction approach. The songs are mid paced for the most part, more emphasis is put on melody, and the singing is more prevalent than the screams. This leads to a seemingly mellower record, but before I give you the impression that this is a snoozer, yet me tell you that Serenity Dies is completely capable of kicking some ass.

The band is never out of focus for a second and always sounds together and tight. The production is crisp and cuts through nicely with enough balls and chunk to please anybody. All of the songs range about four to five minutes and all sound perfect for radio. This is not a bad thing. If there is one thing that I know, it’s that the stigma of “radio friendly” is rarely taken as a good thing. In this case, I think it fits. These songs are accessible enough for anybody, metalhead or not. Yet they still have enough meat in them to keep a veteran happy as well.

In fact, it reminds me of what Trivium was supposed to be: The radio friendly band that was still 100% metal. Unfortunately, Trivium took the route of imitation rather than innovation and the more “metal” they got, the sillier it sounded. This is a good band to take their place. The guitar solos almost have a Petruccian quality to them that could easily melt many faces. Chuck, the bands frontman has a ton of personality and would easily fit beside Chuck Billy or Mustaine in the long line of great frontmen. The only thing that might turn off the more metal elite are the choruses, which often reach the point of being too melodic and bringing the songs from metal to hard rock. This never lingers on for too long though, and they are quickly back on track. The more that I listen, the more that I am reminded of songs like Foreclosure of a Dream or 1000 Times Goodbye, which is definitely not a bad thing. Put a little more variety in the songs and I’d have no problems with picking up a full length.

It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s harmless and when the band kicks into full gear they sound like professionals. And as long as they keep up their professional attitude and workmanship there is no reason why shouldn’t be on the radio kicking the shit out of Disturbed or Killswitch Engage. The band is easily better in just about every way. I can’t guarantee that you’ll love it of even that you’ll like it. But I seriously doubt you’ll find much to hate.

Killing Songs :
In Devil's Symmetry
Crash quoted no quote
0 readers voted
Average:
 0
You did not vote yet.
Vote now

There are 0 replies to this review. Last one on Mon Aug 23, 2010 7:50 pm
View and Post comments