III: The Rommel Chronicles
Metal Blade Records
2013
Marching across the Netherland sonic landscape, Hail of Bullets sounds the trumpet blast of war in this, their third album since 2008’s ….of Frost and War. This new one, which came out on October 29th, III: The Rommel Chronicles, picks up right where previous albums have left off. Not a band to typically compromise their sound or lyrical slant, Hail of Bullets displays a staunch penchant for slow, martial riffs that visually paint a bleak picture to the War themes they so loyally admonish. This album is no different.
Swoops of the Falcon bursts through the gate with their trademark guitar tone assault, mid-paced crunch and is a juggernaut of a track setting the bar high for the rest of the album. Continuing the barrage, Dg-7 begins with a caustically slow crawl only to pick up the tempo for added momentum. Here guitarists, Baayens and Gebédi showcase some incredible dual guitar harmonies that really set the song apart along with Tobruk, which features a similarly strong opening and chaotic “Slayeresque” solo.
If there’s anything that really characterizes that strength of III: Rommel Chronicles, it’s the razor sharp guitar patterns that heavily weigh in on most songs. The Desert Fox is a definite highlight with its memorable triplet main riff set against Ed Warby’s pounding drums and Martin Van Drunen’s dry, husky throat, while The Death of a Field Marshal is a slow, ballad-like dirge, wounded in its delivery and dying slowly to close the album. Another superb anthem, this song will snap heads to and fro as horns are held high in reverence!
If you’re a fan of Hail of Bullets or are familiar with bands prior to their inception (ie, Thanatos, Asphyx, Gorefest, Comecon, Pestilence) then you know what to expect. Drawing heavily once again on groove and monster riffs, III: Rommel Chronicles will not turn heads by way of reinventing the « Death Metal wheel » but will satisfy fans who have grown to love that signature crunch, that signature vocal and that signature hellfire! Metal Blade Records released 2 weeks ago a lyric video for Swoop of the Falcon after releasing the single Pour le mérite in September as a teaser for the album… but they’re not my standout tracks.
Standout Tracks: Dg-7, The Desert Fox, The Final Front, The Death of a Field Marshal
8/10
Chris
