Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


As Hell Retreats, Revival
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

As Hell Retreats
Revival



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 9 tracks: 49 minutes, 8 seconds
Street Date: May 25, 2010


Facedown's boot camp label Strike First Records has gained a promising new death metal group by way of As Hell Retreats that will likely shake things up for fans of anything outrageously heavy. After releasing an EP each year for the past four years, the Hendersonville, Tennessee five-piece has unleashed a downpour of demolition and unrestrained fervor in their debut full-length release, ironically titled Revival.

The "Intro" track sets the mood admirably, ransacking the immediate area with an incredibly destructive breakdown. Unfortunately though, "Inferior" opens with a short stacking of blast beats, which gave me an immediate first impression of repetitiveness that so many bands use to sound overly heavy. After this, however, the overall sound becomes much more diverse, specifically in the area of vocals, set down by Jackson Greene. They impress at a wide variety of levels from high, guttural screams similar to The Agony Scene and low death growls. Though not extraordinary, the guitars of Blake Hardman and Tyler Riley certainly play their part. Creativity is still present despite. A healthy sprinkling of squeals and high tone flourishes in between brutally heavy riffs and half-beat chugging keep the song very interesting.

The sound as a whole is very intense. It's probably one of the heaviest good bands in the Christian scene. Facedown is lucky to have them. In "The Holy Thief," while the music is woven together well, the drums alone are the weak point of the music. All of Trent Davenport's drumming is appropriate, but the performance is slightly less than par. At some points, it is clear there is some trouble with the timing. It's not immediately noticeable, but he would benefit from some more practice before the band's next recording.

The entire album follows a strong form that has been set by the band, which in itself deserves credit, as too many groups play inconsistently. The transitions from timing changes could also use some work, but again, this is only a minor problem. The short semi-solo in "Raze" fills in cleanly, but the drop from blast beats to otherwise is slightly rocky at times, making it hard to grasp the cohesion of the song. By "Resting With Closed Eyes," the album starts to sound a little too consistent, risking repetitiveness. For those of you who believe in the salvaging powers of a good breakdown though, each new song continues to satisfy. "Messengers" does more to spice up the flavour, adding in fun hooking riffs that don't usually appear in death metal. Times like the end of the track also showcase guitar skill that shows up too seldomly.

For a short break from the intimidating pizzazz of the previous songs, take a nap to the title track. It's your standard surprisingly flowery instrumental interlude that breaks down your hype so that "Poor God," the final track, sounds even heavier than it is. The fact that the album ends after such an inspired ninth song upsets me a little. Considering that As Hell Retreats has released four EPs before this, I would have expected a full-length album longer than 27 minutes.

Revival is a superbly written, face-breaking, volume-cranking monster, but the sound mix is less than professional and the band performance could use some improvement. With opportunity to tour with more experienced bands and time to knock up their skills a notch, As Hell Retreats will likely produce well-deserved praise in the future. And it was entertaining enough that the brief length disappointed me, so fans of Upon A Burning Body, Veil of Maya, or Salt the Wound should be thrilled that a group like this has entered the Christian metal mesh.

- Review date: 5/23/10, written by Wayne Reimer of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

JFH Staff's Second Opinion



To add to the list of 2010's Facedown/Strike First Records debuts, As Hell Retreats is dropping Revival on our laps. Bringing to mind the sound of bands like Meshuggah, As Hell Retreats' music rides a line between standard hardcore and death metal, having aspects of both subgenres prominent throughout each of the songs. They're gritty, they utilize a thick-sounding bass drum, and you'll hear high screams and low, guttural growls. There's only nine songs though (eight when you take into account that the intro is an instrumental track), and it clocks in at about twenty-seven minutes. The songs themselved wouldn't necessarily be considered short, but they feel like it, as the ending of each one comes rather quickly when you're listening. Revival is a good debut, though. It's not amazing, but it has its moments of good instrumentation, making As Hell Retreats a band to check out for any hardcore fans. Here's to hoping their next album will have a longer track list, but here's to knowing the band had a good start. - Scott Fryberger

 

. Record Label: Strike First Records
. Album length: 9 tracks: 49 minutes, 8 seconds
. Street Date: May 25, 2010
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Intro (1:35)
  2. Inferior (3:03)
  3. The Holy Thief (2:55)
  4. Raze (3:55)
  5. Resting With Closed Eyes (3:06)
  6. Messengers (2:56)
  7. Contradiction (2:50)
  8. Revival (2:55)
  9. Poor God (3:49)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images