Graves of Valor - Salarian Gate
Rating
RIYL
Through the Eyes of the DeadJob for a Cowboy
From Idle Hands
Release Date
05/26/2009
Label
RelapseTracklist
1. Salarian Gate2. Suffocation of the Last King
3. Pestilence
4. Bridles of Incitatus
5. Sic Semper Tyrannis
6. Letter of the Blind
7. To Breathe Blood
8. The Clever Ape
9. Diderot
10. Locusta
11. No Gods Left
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If you are familiar with the burgeoning deathcore scene, odds are that you are familiar with the name Through the Eyes of the Dead. The band has been hot on the trail of the scene for a couple of years now, but their popularity hasn't stopped them from having somewhat of an elastic line-up. In 2006, the instability of the band spawned From Graves of Valor. Releasing their Famine EP on Raleigh, NC-based Tragic Hero Records in 2007, the band caused somewhat of a stir within the South and established a “no bullshit” attitude. Signing to Relapse Records in 2008, Graves of Valor dropped the “From” from their title and began writing their first full length album.
Salarian Gate quickly introduces the band's brand of thrash-influenced death metal, simultaneously dropping any hint of -core influence they had as From Graves of Valor. The title track doesn't let up at any point, beginning with a fierce drum-driven assault and ending with a series of sweeps that would make Muhammed Suiçmez turn his head. The next two tracks continue setting the pace for a recurring theme of imperial rule, and one of the album's strongest tracks, “Bridles of Incitatus”, finds the band citing Caligula. They question what it feels like to die a God and the power hungry relationship between tyrannical rule and religious delusion. From the get-go, things that stand out are typical for a death metal band; the vocals are typically monstrous, but unique in tone and delivery. The guitarists, aside from the fills, usually lie down in the rhythm section and provide a groove that is sure to nod your head during the sludgier bits. The showcase of the album, however, would be the drumming of Dayton Cantley. The songs are obviously led by his relentless playing, and the band has a habit of starting off songs on a snare hit or two. His tight, focused playing emphasizes the band's attitude towards their music.
The second half of the album opens with a clean, delay-filled guitar instrumental that is basically a single riff put on repeat, called “Letter on the Blind”. While it seems to move the concept of the album along, it is musically unnecessary. The next two songs, “To Breathe Blood” and “The Clever Ape”, are strong tracks which seem to channel old From Graves of Valor riffs. They are both powerful songs, with the first of the two starting out slow and grinding, and the second ending with a cleverly hidden breakdown. Following them is a second guitar instrumental called “Diderot”, this time played acoustically. What saves this track is that unlike the first instrumental, it seems to fit musically with the rest of the album while also representing the movement of time. The second-to-last track, “Locusta”, seems to echo the third track, “Pestilence”, seeing as both end with guitar solos and a theme of plague and demise. The song's chugging end leads up to the climax of the album in “No Gods Left”, which is definitely sure to turn some heads. It begins as a sludgy riff that resembles the seemingly mandatory instrumental closer which bands find themselves turning to now, but evolves into a solid song with an infectious chord progression and delay-drowned vocals over top. The strong ending to both the song and the album was a good call by the band, seeing as it closes it both musically and conceptually well.
Graves of Valor's Relapse Records debut indicates a bright future for the South Carolina based band. They pull out all the stops, putting forth all of their effort into an intellectual and technical album which is sure to get them noticed. This band represents the up and coming young metal scene quite well, proving that bands don't have to rely on misogynistic lyrics and “brutal” breakdowns to get a record deal and spots on big name bills. Salarian Gate is a fantastic album with only a couple of throwaway tracks, and even then they crush your typical deathcore spawn. If you're a fan of death metal and look forward to the future, or if you're just trying to make your way out of the flat-billed pits, pick this up. You won't be disappointed.
--Cody Rogers
Comments
PA
Good to see you reviewing here now!
Music Blog.
Depths blog. (my band)
Raleigh, NC
Thanks bro!
Toronto
yeah even though I disagree with your review completely, welcome :)
Lehigh Valley, PA
Not diggin' the album but good review.
Raleigh, NC
Just got the CD / lyric booklet in the mail from Chris...
Some of these lyrics are downright nasty and totally what I would expect from these guys. Overall, a great concept album I think. This band will only get better.