Album Review: Loudblast - Altering Fates And Destinies
Reviewed by Patrick O'Reilly
French death metal pioneers Loudblast have a rich history of influential releases to their name, following the landmark release of album ‘Disincarnate’ in 1991, a full-on death metal classic recorded at the legendary Morrisound studios in Florida cemented them as a force to be reckoned with in the metal world. Following the release of album ‘Sublime Dementia’ in 1993 the future looked very bright for Loudblast. Unfortunately, the band floundered and despite sporadic releases over the years never really reached the heights their early releases promised. The name always lived on through and still commands respect within extreme metal.
Loudblast return in 2024 with new album ‘Altering Fates and Destinies’ sporting a new line up but the same classic riffs and quality as always. Immediately noticeable is the quality of both the music and the production, a very modern death metal sound is evident with an ultra-clear production allowing all instruments to shine. The tracks are polished and with plenty of hooks, solos abound and have a similar brilliance to the rest of the music. The tracks very in pace and style but all are interesting and listenable.
Standout tracks on the album for me are the pulverizing ‘Crystal Skin’ with its blistering solo at the end of the track, ‘Son of Nameless Mist’ with its Gorguts-esque staccato riffing and the epic ‘He Who Slumbers’ which drips with atmosphere and grandeur like a heady mixture of Paradise Lost and Enslaved.
My only criticism of the album is that it lacks a certain rawness and brutality, which for some may be an issue but others will find the supreme musicianship, quality production and Lovecraftian themes a perfect combination and gateway into metal Nirvana.
For fans of – Paradise Lost, Enslaved, Gorguts, Gojira, Tiamat
