Year: 2021
Total Time: 44:19
Label: Century Media
ANGELUS
APATRIDA mark 20 years of existence and this is their seventh
full length studio album.
Getting straight to the point, and after only a few listens, I conclude that
this is an album that doesn’t cause any surprise. The band from Spain is
absolutely consistent (I need to admit even
predictable) in the style of
music they play.
So what do we hear on their self-titled new album? Primarily we are dealing
with Thrash Metal, with strong old school references to the trio PANTERA,
TESTAMENT and EXODUS. However, the result is definitely more modern, mainly
because of the solid and clean production,
as well as the groove element that is scattered here and
there.
Moreover, we are dominated
by a barrage of rhythmic riffs, mostly of fast
speed, steady playing, well
bonded band and generally a very convincing project, but with one (big) remark
that is stuck in my mind throughout the whole listening of “Angelus
Apatrida” and overshadows the overall picture of the album: I can’t hear
any authenticity. The ideas, the compositions, the flow, the sound, the way the
play, the production, everything is so predictable. There is no creativity in
this album. We are talking about a faithful copy, a clone, with a lot of parts
that the band has dug up from the rich discography of the aforementioned bands.
So much so, that for me personally it becomes irritating.
I notice that this album has received good to brilliant reviews from many
media. Indeed, this is a convincing one, that doesn’t leave you much room to
bury it or even call it mediocre. How can one remain indifferent to hearing,
for example, the great “The Age Of Disinformation” and
“Indoctrinate”?
“Angelus Apatrida” carries you with it, keeps you up to speed and in full interest, at least for 2/3 of the album (with the exception of a small dip towards the end, during the tracks “We Stand Alone” and “Through The Glass”, where the interest is lost). However, I wouldn’t want to overlook the lack of authenticity, which should be noted because it affects the listening experience, especially when it comes to the album as a whole. All in all, if you like reheated food on a porcelain plate, go ahead. If you’re looking for freshness (I’m probably hungry…), you can skip it.
Rating: 6/10
Editor: Kostas Kafritsas
Related Link: ANGELUS APATRIDA – Facebook Page
