Modern Metal Thrash Release
Matthew B. Hunt | 02/03/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Arnion - Fall Like Rain (Retroactive) 2009
1. "Intro" (:48)
2. "Visions from Hell" (4:34)
3. "Zombies" (5:04)
4. "Get Ready for the War" (4:39)
5. "Fall Like Rain" (3:09)
6. "Regreat be Healed" (4:27)
7. "Manipulação S.A." (6:38)
8. "Obtenetration" (3:54)
9. "Human Holocaust" (3:54)
10. "Renascitur Ex Cineribus" (1:27)
11. "Whitened Graves" (6:00)
BONUS TRACKS (2006 REFUGE EP)
12. "Prelude" (:57)
13. "Refuge" (4:19)
14. "Steps in the Dark" (5:54)
15. "Atormentado Um" (:28)
16. "Human Holocaust" (3:50)
17. "Inferno" (:23)
18. "Whitened Graves" (5:45)
Brazil has produced some quality metal band in the past. One of the best known is thrashers Sepultura. Arnion are another export of Brazil and these guys follow in the same aggressive footsteps. While the band labels themselves as thrash metal, this is not your typical thrash metal. Rather this is full throttle, unadulterated, coming at you like an out of control freight train, heavy metal.
Over the years heavy metal has fragmented into hundreds of different sub-genres. Likewise, thrash too has become a bit more diverse. Many new bands such as The Haunted and Rumpelstiltskin Grinder are labeled thrash metal, but would probably be better labeled as neo-thrash metal since their sound is not a carbon copy of bands like Exodus, Testament and Kreator. Such is the case with Arnion. Sure, Arnion have some of those classic thrash metal influences. You'll probably even hear some Sepultura influences mixed in here, such as in "Manipulação S.A.", as well as a healthy helping of Bay Area thrash influence. However, there are also some of the heavy, chugging, stop/start riffs and even some punk attitude scattered throughout. For the most part, the songs are all up-tempo to mid-paced, with plenty of distinction from song to song so that the overall album doesn't become one big blurr. Despite being an independent release, the production on "Fall Like Rain" is raw and heavy, with each instrument clearly heard. Basically, Arnion have successfully mixed modern production, articulate guitar riffs, smoking lead work, fast double bass, intelligent lyrics and grappling hooks to create an album that should impress most any metal fan. (It should also be noted that a few of the songs are sung in the band's native language, Portuguese.)
"Fall Like Rain" was originally released in 2008 on Silent Music, the album was picked up for US and European distribution by Retroactive Records that same year and released in 2009. The album was digitally remastered and includes the band's 2003 "Refuge" EP. The EP will most certainly appeal to old school thrash fans. It is slightly less modern sounding than the full length album and has a sound akin to Kreator and Sodom with a bit of old Carcass thrown in or good measure. By Scott Waters (Ultimatum)"
