Earlier this year I reviewed an album Sunset Nation had created in order to raise funds to produce this debut album. You can view it here. Once they finished up in the studio, the band promptly sent me their final cut copy to indulge in. I liked their last one and I see this new album has songs from its predecessor, so I know I'm going to enjoy this.
Engine Of Chaos - The album begins with a display of sturdy guitar and drumming. The clean vocals appear; melodic and flowing. They soon turn into a rougher tone, much like a grunty yell. They seem designed to intimidate and they certainly project their intent well. There is a deathly 'engine' being sung during the chorus. The tracks overall pace is lively and thrashable with only one small breather to recollect yourself. There is a decent riff in here at about 02:48 which I hope there is more of in this album.
Fuck The Machine - Here we have the explosive title track for the album. It is fast paced and intense. It seems to possess that old American punk style essence somewhat like Agnostic Front. There is some nice lead guitar work in here too which I'm happy to hear. The rhythm guitar is much like a chainsaw at times. Good track!
Our Twisted Reality - The introduction to this next track has an alluring guitar riff to haul us in. The pace is upbeat and you can find yourself easily getting into their music. I really like how they add in all these little guitar leads and metalized guitar riffs and tweaks. The vocals in this one are more punk like in their delivery and are therefore more imposing and confronting. It adds a very strong essence to the track. The overall sound to this track is quite melodic and atmospheric as intense as it is. Great guitar work!
The Man In White - This one starts off with a gentle guitar melody and sombre atmosphere much like that of Metallica's 'Fade To Black'. It is slow paced and atmospheric until about 03:25 when it picks up its pace and gets into some nice, heavy guitar work. It ends amidst its intensity.
Banned From Hell - This next track starts of somewhat reminiscent to Megadeth. It is the shortest track on the album at 03:06. The rhythm guitars are quite mechanical as they saw through the chords. You can easily find yourself moshing along to this track.
The Ripper Lives - Rhythmically, this has somewhat of an old Metallica sound. The vocals are like a clean yet grunty punk style tone. There are backup vocal harmonies and chants in parts. A small pause appears at about 01:58 which makes you think it has abruptly ended, yet the faint breathing allows you to realise it shall continue onward. It continues on with a blast of fury amidst a chanting hoard. At 03:22 a mean guitar lead kicks in and another soon forges its way through to end the track.
Mass Epidemic - This is the second longest track at 06:15 and it starts off with a gentle yet edgy guitar melody and pace. The feel to this track really is quite edgy as you are for the first part sitting there anxiously tapping your foot just waiting for the blast to appear. The instrument use increases but the angst and edge is still there. At 01:31 the blast of metal begins its journey. There are wicked guitar riffs and a pace to release your angst to. Great track!
Dahmer's Way Out - The guitar work throughout this album is impressive and is sure to keep any metal fan interested. The sound engineering is also impressive as it helps the guitar to stand out yet not completely over power nor flood the rest of the music or instruments. This particular song is intense as they yell "kill me" in the chorus. The pace is again upbeat and lively and I honestly just can't get enough of this awesome guitar work!
Lone Survivor - This next track starts off with a gentle guitar melody which soon becomes a heavier atmospheric piece. The vocals are clean with a powerful, flowing delivery. The pace picks up at about 02:22 and a nice guitar lead kicks in. It is overall a more moderate track though it blends very well amidst this album.
The Modern Day Vikings - Here we have a more triumphant sounding entrance to this next song. The guitar simply glides through the riffs and melodies effortlessly. The drums happily compliment all the other instruments with an atmospheric intensity. The vocals utilise that grunt punk sound and even throw in some choral parts. At 02:30 there is a part for the crowd to indulge in with a "hey, hey, hey, hey!" This track harbours another good guitar lead toward the end.
Dr. King's Nightmare - A low toned guitar strum takes us into this next track. It is one of their more controversial tracks, though as I said the last time I reviewed them, it is really all left up to ones interpretation. I still see this as being a view on what was then and how things are now and how people don't seem to have learned any lesson at all. The music is of a slower pace but it does have shots of intensity like at 04:33 where the pace quickens and the guitar shreds out a lead. It is a decent track and nothing to get controversially stupid about.
On That Day - Here we have the longest track on the album at 08:54 and it starts off with another gentle guitar melody. It then includes a recording from the infamous 9/11 tragedy. It truly sets the scene for this darkly inspired song. The words are therefore obviously strong and powerful as we all know the courage and determination it took to come out of this violent act. I also still believe this song makes a good theme song for the US citizens and it's a good representation for this patriotic band. We must remember that being patriotic does not mean one's being racist. In this case, they are simply being proud of their countries freedom and rights. It is simply disgusting that there are people in this world that think they can inflict their own stupid views on others by slaughtering innocent lives. This is about overcoming problems and regaining your strength and dignity and not giving in to another's bullshit. It's a great track and one to be embraced.
Civilization In C Minor - This last song starts out with a guitar melody which soon bolsters into an atmospheric instrumental orchestration. Starting out slow paced then increasing tempo as time goes on. It incorporates some awesome lead guitar work and the drums simply complement the ensemble. The bass even has its highlighted moment at 04:20. It is overall a nice little outro for the album.
In essence, this band has succeeded in creating this debut album as I expected. It is filled with awesome guitar work, the vocals present themselves with powerful, strong elements and the bass and drums complement all that's going on around them. The copy I received is simply a final cut copy so not what you'd find in store for sale. I therefore can't comment on the package but the content is well worth delving into.
LINKS
Sunset Nation Myspace
Sunset Nation Website
Review by Déa di Morté 22 September 2010
All pictures courtesy of Sunset Nation