BELIEVER „Gabriel”

Music: Metal, Thrash, Progressive
Country: USA
Web site: http://www.myspace.com/believerband
Cool Songs: Medwton, A Moment in Prime, Focused Lethality

In 1993 Progressive thrash artist BELIEVER released “Dimensions” via Roadrunner Records. The “Dimensions” recording would serve as the last recording from the Pennsylvanian act, at least until now. “Gabriel” signified the return of a band from Roadrunner Records classic catalogue, although this time the band went with another classic American metal label—Metal Blade.

BELIEVER may have taken a long vacation, but “Gabriel” shows little variation from the group’s past couple releases. When a group has created a fresh and complicated sound such as BELIEVER, consistency of style is not a bad thing. BELIEVER original, Kurt Bachman still cranks out chunky, odd-timed thrash rhythms. Keyboards and other electronic samples create fantastic layers to the churning guitar sound or kick each song off into weird terrains. Bachman’s snarling vocals sharply resemble Schmier of DESTRUCTION.

Bachman fuels the album opener, “Medwton” with a complexly timed, MESHUGGAH-like bounce. Due to the atypical time patterns, one could make MESSUGAH a comparison band, but “Medwton” is the only track with similarities in style. BELIEVER moves much quicker than those Swedes, and their music contains a great deal more experimentation. “Focused Lethality” consists of vintage thrash metal riffing, but with a much rougher edge than what the bands of the eighties created.

Riff wise, BELIEVER is nothing to fuck with, but the random changes are what really make this group something special. “Stoned” begins and ends with a saloon style piano, which seems totally out of place with grinding guitars but somehow it works. Bass and drum interplay to enveloping static to initiate “Redshift.” Near the middle of the track, the group returns to this rhythm to provide a backdrop to a very strange, jazzy guitar solo. The further one ventures into this album, the stranger it gets. The end of the album features three bonus tracks of electronics, samples and wacky music. One of the tracks creates an excellent extraterrestrial vibe with its sound clips of alien encounters and far-out noises.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE fans check out “The Brave.” Howard Jones of said band provides both clean and harsh vocals, alternating aggressive vocals with Bachman when the music takes an energetic tone.

Those hoping for a BELIEVER reunion should get a cookie or something for waiting so long. “Gabriel” won’t disappoint those who remember the classic Roadrunner days. They kept their style intact, although cleaned up the production some with modern technology. Newcomers to BELIEVER should know they are a Christian band, but one would never know without reading the lyrics. They don’t seem like the type of band to shove their believes down everyone’s throat. Moral messages aside, “Gabriel” is a rippin’ metal album!

note: 8/10

Tracklist

1. Medwton
2. A Moment In Prime
3. Stoned
4. Redshift
5. History Of Decline
6. The Need For Conflict
7. Focused Lethality
8. Shut Out The Sun
9. The Brave (Featuring Howard Jones of KILLSWITHC ENGAGE)
10.Nonsense Mediated Decay
11. Untitled Track
12 Untitled Track
13 Untitled Track

Line-up

Kurt Bachman – Vocals, Guitar
Joey Daub – Drums
Jeff King – Keyboards and Programming
Elton Nestler – Bass and Programming
Kevin Leaman – Guitars