Battlecross
« War of Will »
Metal Blade Records
2013
Hailing from Michigan, U.S.A, Battlecross are poised to challenge other melodic, thrash/death bands in sheer ferocity and abandon! Fourth album into their career, “War of Will” sees the quartet more focused than ever in a milieu already overflowing with similar acts.
Known for being a tour de force live, Battlecross have penned an album that is perfect for a “runaway pit” and will no doubt see rabid fans break their necks in aural ecstasy. Out of the gate, “Force Fed Lies” sets the tone for the rest of the album with its melodic hooks and rampant double bass assault. Clocking in a mere 3:20 seconds, most of the album contains short blasts of energy with enough venom to satiate fans of the “As I Lay Dying” or “All That Remains” ilk. In fact, Battlecross indulge in heavy thrash riffing with subtle nuances of Metalcore and Bay Area guitar solo finesse.
With all the similarities to other bands “trending” right now, Battlecross do add flourishes that set them apart from the pack. “Get Over It” and “Beast” feature fast rhythms that will inspire mayhem live but bring the pace down to a slow crawl, as well, to add varying dimensions to their well-tread blueprint. Standout track, “Flesh and Bone” may reference older In Flames, but does veer off the path with an interesting neo-classical guitar bridge that segues into the main solo.
For all its splashes of uniqueness, “War of Will”, comes across as an album that exhibits potential but may find itself buried beneath mounds of other bands playing similar melodic thrash with extreme vocals. Though Battlecross do write songs that many will “lap up”, the compelling elements are few and far between, sadly. What may be left at the end of the day, is another generic album of typical thrash riffs, double bass propulsion and ideas that have been explored many times before.
Standout Tracks: “Never Coming Back”, “Flesh and Bone”, “Beast” 7/10
