Protector - Reanimated Homunculus (2013)



EAC | Flac(Image) + Cue + Log & iPod M4A(Tracks)
Thrash Metal | High Roller Records, HRR 317 CD | ~ 294 or 297 Mb | Scans(jpg, 600dpi) -> 59 Mb

PROTECTOR’s comeback full album seems nothing less than their previous releases if
not even more accomplished, in an equation of faithfulness to the old
school Thrash on one hand and on the other one, the musical maturity
acquired throughout a veteran career dating from the late 80s –the
Thrash Metal’s golden era.

As a fusion of fancy Thrash and Death elements, it was actually a
winning gamble on quality rather than quantity. The ten tracks are
designed to be as concise as possible to a point that leaves no way to
boredom at any second, owing to a well-edited riff distribution. Most of
the time, although the riff’s general scheme is kept playing for a good
duration the and the played notes are conserved, every four bars occurs
a swift and constant switch in technique and/or intensity, either
concerning drumming or the guitar play (sometimes interludes breaking
away from the basic song structure) mentioning for example “Lycopolis”
in which you detect the alternation of heavy drumming and guitar palm
mutes with lower tempo passages with more open chords, sometimes such
chords turn into extensive staccato play such in “Deranged Nymphomania”.
Headbanging had also its good share translated into old school Thrashy
one pillar note riffs with an decent bass line that actually went
further than its traditional task of following the guitar fundamental
notes, and was often playing the intro or individualized enough in
“Birth Of A Nation”‘s interlude taken as another clue.

As for guitars, even though the scales remain in a safe zone, their
technique varies between Death Metal open chords, glam-like ones and one
pillar note fast Thrash riffs playing, and at a lower frequency electro
lead guitar arpeggios as well as the harmonics of “Antiman”, and added
to the whole variety, the cutting-edge chromatic undefined tremolo bar
and tap solos come as a triumph in most of the songs echoing the same
characteristic high level of the previous band’s line up.

No doubt that the drumming is indeed a winning card in this album,
commanding the outstanding tempo roller-coaster and often the unexpected
smooth transition from high tempo to a low one and vice-versa as in
“Antiman”, beside the funky cuts in “The End” where a weird Rock
drumming gets transformed into a rhythm of double bass pedals, needless
to mention the glam drums right in the intro of the song, the drum intro
and the tremendous bass pedals and scale rapid switch melted with time
signature change in the interlude “Holiday In Hell” all which –for
certain- have hugely contributed to this unique mixture.

In spite of the notable aggressiveness of the instrumentation, nothing
could affirm that melancholic timber like the growls did especially when
echoed. Browsing along the tracks, the lead singer’s ability to deepen
or to raise his range is likely to draw your attention from the drums.
In that mingle of Thrash chords and drumbeats, Death-styled singing
expands dimensions and doubles the vibes radiating, notably in the last
track which comes as a short energetic Metal hymn backed by clean chorus
then marked by the end by the alternation of differently-pitched vocal
tracks.

All in all, here’s a complete album not only containing a little bit
from everything but also mastering it, bringing perhaps the thrash old
good days back, for such solos cannot be easily forgotten. I would say
it again : high level.

by Vladimir Leonov, metal-temple
Protector - Reanimated Homunculus (2013):

Tracklist:

01. Sons of Kain
02. Deranged Nymphomania
03. Holiday in Hell
04. Reanimated Homunculus
05. Birth of a Nation
06. Lycopolis
07. Road Rage
08. Antiman
09. The End
10. Calle Brutal


Musicians:

Martin Missy - Vocals, Lyrics
Michael Carlsson - Guitars
Carl-Gustav Karlsson - Drums
Mathias Johansson - Bass, Vocals (backing)



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