Year: 2020
Time: 09:15
Label; Nuclear Blast
The co-headlining European tour with KREATOR and LAMB OF GOD may have been canceled due to covid-19, but instead of that, they offer us a split release with a new song from each band. This split is only available in limited edition 7′ vinyl (1000 copies in orange and 1000 copies in green vinyl). KREATOR participates with their new song “666-World Divided” and LAMB OF GOD with “Checkmate”, which is the first single from their upcoming new self-titled album.
Side A belongs to KREATOR and their new song, which catches us directly by the throat with its aggression. Its musical style does not have any big difference from Germans’ last records, having the melodic leads that they have added at the last years. The furious rhythm of “666-World Divided” guitar riffs are interrupted only during the melodic chorus and the great solo. The composition gives you the feeling that it could have been written in the early 90’s as it has a bit of “Coma Of Souls” feeling, but the magic touch by Andy Sneap has made it sound modern.
Trying to recover from KREATOR’s great track we got the B side of this split, to hear the masters of NWOADM LAMB OF GOD. “Checkmate” is a nice song, groovy and intense, but that’s all. LAMB OF GOD uses in the composition the same paths that they have been using for years, elements and ideas that we have heard dozens of times. They also have a new drummer named Art Cruz, who I would expect to leave his mark on the song, but the introduction and some other drumming parts of “Checkmate” are screaming out “Chris Adler”. This is just a decent song, as we are waiting for the new album to say more.
This split is a remarkable release as we do not have often the opportunity to see collaborations between such big names. Apart from the collectible value, this split is also worth buying for KREATOR’s new song. Until know we have no information about whether it will be on their next album or if it was written only for this release. At the other side, “Checkmate” by LOG, will be on their next record.
Rating: N/A
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link A: KREATOR – Official Page
Related Link B: LAMB OF GOD – Official Page
