Search - Deadlock :: Earth Revolt

Melodic death with black-ish vocals and dark keyboards

Murat Batmaz | Istanbul, Turkey | 06/28/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"German melodic metallers Deadlock play a signature mix of melodic black and death metal intertwined with a good dose of gothic darkness. Far from 'the beauty and the beast' kind of stuff, they still use some nice female vocals to add another dimension to their music mixed with dark keyboard tones that surround their successful twin guitar work. However, the female vocals are used sparingly only, as on their 8-minute mammoth opening piece, "10,000 Generations in Blood", entering the song after the highly aggressive scream vocals delivered by Johannes Prem, and killer tremelo picked guitar parts. A nifty melodic lead harmony and atmospheric keyboards are juxtaposed towards the end of the track which wrap it up perfectly.



The vocals are mostly screamed black metal singing, occasionally changing between low grunting and soft, almost poppy female clean singing. The music is very melodic throughtout; excellent palm muted riffs abound songs like "Everlasting Pain" and "More Tragedies to Come", often supported by melodic keyboard and piano lines that give the listener a moment to catch their breath. The songs are generally fast, but far from mindless speed. Drummer Tobias Graf employs a wide style of techniques going from fiery kick-drums to multi-rhythm driven beats on "The Year of the Crow". There is also a driving bass force on the same track, which is one of the finest compositions on this disc.



The female vocalist returns to the mold on the emotional "Awakened by Sirens" - note the ending of this song. It's a beautiful finale with a sorrowful coda for solo piano. A similar approach can be heard on the album's last song, "Harmonic", with all female vocals sung over a soothing piano melody. Earth.Revolt is the kind of album every melodic metal fan should look into, if they can get past the extreme vocals."

Black metal? what are you smoking?

C. Pedersen | Lake Mary, FL United States | 02/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know why people are comparing these guys to black metal. They obviously don't know what it is. Listen to Darkthrone and Bathory - then you'll know.



Deadlock is melodic death metal with some female vocals thrown in a couple spots. The male vocals are low in the mix and nothing special. From what I have said so far, you might think I don't like this cd..but I do. The songwriting is great. Bludgeoning riffs and memorable tunes."