The Very End - Mercy & Misery
Rating
RIYL
TriviumTestament
Metallica
Release Date
01/25/2011
Label
SPVTracklist
01. Memento02. Ball and Chain
03. The Leper
04. Rat Nation
05. Dead Is The New Alive
06. Letters to the Living
07. A Hole in the Sun
08. For All Things Undone
09. Vultures
10. Immigrant Song
11. Three Zero Nine
12. Blacklisted
13. Maniac
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It’s odd that a lot of people bill The Very End as a thrash band. I don’t really feel the whole thrash vibe from them, but instead get more of a modern metal vibe that's overloaded with way too many varied influences. In interviews I read they describe themselves as coming from a very thrash scene, so I guess my version of thrash has become skewed over the years. I hold those early thrash bands, such as Slayer and Anthrax, as the style to emulate if you are going to be playing in the thrash metal sandbox. These German duders take on “thrash” metal is really thin in terms of originality and scope.
The album opens with “Memento” an acoustic/electric triumphant song filled with guitar noodling and pounding drums, very reminiscent of early Metallica. The whole album has that sort of fist-pounding, head-banging quality to it that some metal fans will really dig. The second track, “ Ball and Chain,” comes equipped with pinch harmonics and indulgent solos that seem to be pre-requisites for metal bands. From here on out, pretty much the remainder of the album has these items as a foundation. This, unfortunately, leaves the album quite repetitive, and to top things off the vocals really start to get annoying after the first couple of tracks. The lead singer alternates between a harsh sing and a more “metal” scream that seems to be alternating at an oddly synced pattern that is derivative of so many other acts. The album is filled with triplets galore and double bass... can't leave out double bass rolls! As far as production goes the record sounds flawless as each instrument is present and mixed well. Their cover of “Immigrant Song” is deplorable; every band should know not to cover Led Zeppelin.
The Very End created a record that really doesn’t evoke repeat listens. In saying that, there were times during my listening sessions I thought, “Oh that part is cool, but haven’t I heard it before?” I'll grant them that they can play their instruments, but honestly, don’t most metal bands have to be proficient in their instruments to be “metal”? If you dig new metal then this record is for you. If you like your metal with a soul, I would pass this one up.
--Corey Mack
Comments
Minnesota
Eh... this is pretty... uhh... ok, I guess. It's not terrible, but it felt very amateurish. There's definitely some pseudo-thrash in there, but this is mostly groove metal with bad vocals.
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