BROTHER VON DOOM’S RELENTLESS IS A DAMN FINE DEBUT
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008 at 2:00pm by David Bee Roth
Most of you have probably never heard of Brother Von Doom. I know this because there is absolutely no way a band with such a sweet ass name could have escaped your recognition, and, furthermore, anyone who has heard Relentless would have had to be flapping their mouth to everyone about it. They’re straight outta Dayton, OH, and ready to drive a ten-inch carpentry nail into your earlobe and make you say their name, so you’d best smarten up to this damn fine debut.
Though their moniker might have you thinking they’re stoned 50 bpm Sabbath plagiarists, rest assured that there is only one thing on the menu here: swift, melodic death metal served Swedish style and extra spicy. Let me make my own thoughts clear by saying its been a long time since I’ve been this impressed with such a straight-forward metal record. Even though these boys have obviously been listening to the same regimen of European bands that American bands have been ripping off since the early naughties (check out the At the Gates drumming), they manage to deliver with such an outstanding combination of honest performance and tight musicianship that it feels exhilarating instead of cliché.
Just take a gander at the song titles: “Eater of Days,” “Coffins of the Cursed,” “Echoes of the Undead,” “Norse Demise” (my favorite). Do you need any more proof of how metal this album is? Sounds pretty brutal, right? Even though every song is fast and heavy, they manage to be simultaneously uplifting, even positive, without sounding like a bunch of sissies and without changing the excellent harsh vocal delivery (which, dare I say, is more American than the rest of their sound). Complimenting the harmonized guitar riffing are some tasteful solos and leads that help to smooth out the edges and make a few of the songs more memorable upon repeat listens. While many of the songs don’t stand out much from the next, the quality and tone are consistent throughout and the grand finale “Blood of the Betrayer” is particularly satisfying.
Brother Von Doom have no ambition to change the face of metal; their one goal is to deliver heavy-like-concrete melo-death to the masses. Ignore all that old, fad-chasing metalcore and be impressed at what a two-year-old band can release. If you’re still sour over Light This City breaking up, you’re still waiting for the next Black Dahlia Murder to drop, and if the newest Arsis wasn’t enough to slake your blood thirst, grab hold of Relentless say hello to your new brother.
(4 horns out of 5)
-DBR
I’m pretty sure most people have heard of these guys as there was at least 1 ad for them during every commercial break of Headbanger’s Ball for the past few weeks.
I personally haven’t mentioned them because I thought the cd was mediocre at best
And their name is stupid
I have no clue what Black Dahlia Murder have to do with this band, they sound nothing alike. Anyway, I gotta agree with Kye. This is pretty fucking boring.
I actually have heard of these guys almost a year ago, my roommate loved their EP or whatever it was. I thought it was generic “metalcore” when I first listened. I’ll have to check this out; it’s very possible for a band’s sound to progress a lot early on in their career.
And they advertise on Facebook like CRAZY. I see an ad almost once a day for their stuff.
I actually can’t find this album anywhere in CT which sucks ass because from what I’ve heard it rips.
I looked them up on YouTube and think they’re pretty fucking awesome. The vocalist sounds really unique. It’s like if you took and American hardcore singer and filled his mouth with puke and made him scream (only in metal could this be a plus in music).
I love it…its very heavy and riffy
You’re right, I’ve never heard of Brother Von Doom. Dumb name though. Slaughter of the Soul called, it wants its guitar back.
Yeah, they advertised on here and loads on facebook. mmmm, ok, nothing special.
Reminds me a bit of Himsa
Nothing remarkable here. It’s not bad, and the musicians are pretty talented, but nothing that stands out from the current crop of metal bands, and not 4 horns worthy. Then again, you guys liked the new Slipknot album, so what do I know?
11 responses and no one mentions the typo?
anyway album sucks, band name is stupid, and advertising tactics are annoying
More shit metal from dayton.
ummm…you people are fucked. The name might be slightly gay but these dudes slay. Good fast paced metal with a couple cool hooks.
no.
boring.
-core bullshit.
Obama ‘08
About 30 seconds of that is all I need to hear.
I agree with you DBR. I dig this band.
“slaughter of the soul called wants its guitar back” cool dude why don’t you tell that to every other fucking metal band ever or you could just sit in your room and be an ugly closed minded asshole that thinks you know shit about music because you saw suicide silence live last year at a fucking gay ass fest and then last month your friend thats way cooler than you (and you know it) says hey dude if you like metal listen to this there might be some shit in there you might like and because there from 1966 you love them but the newer bands don’t get any fucking recognition for even attempting to put there twist to metal which i think BVD blows any newer band out of the water for combining all the best aspects of metal genres into one CD. perfect combo of death,melodic,thrash and some may even say theres some epicness to it. i don’t even see where the “core” would come to place in this band.. no breakdowns.. 100% musical talent.. the only thing i could see people bashing is the vocals.
memorable name. very enjoyable music. i give 5 horns.
STOP BASHING TALENT!
dude you guys are fucking retarted this band fucking kill oh im sorry they are “doomcore” enough for you bree bre faggots
go fuck your selfs
and anyone whos said good things about this band…i respect you but the rest of you…learn what the meaning of music is.
this album isn’that good. laughable vocals and half the songs are old songs written by old members. thier previous ep is alot better, find it and check it out
Typo in headline, dudes.
whoever talks shit about this band needs punched kick ass album and its my friends band
You fukin softcore cunts need to learn what real fukin metal is. Pay the fuk attention, these guys are IT. There are so many putrid excuses for fukin metal out there these days, and then when a real metal band comes along stomping out anything in they’re fukin way you start bashing it like a bunch of brittney worshipping gaylords. I bet you fukholes talked the same kinda shit about Lamb of God and Threat Signal when they first came out too… go fuk your mothers and leave the real critiquing to the real fukin metalheads.
BVD is real metal and something that should be played in churches across the globe.
on an interesting side note: i sound EXACTLY like the singer whilst i’m vomiting.