Third album from Chilean heavy metal band VASTATOR and my very first close encounter with the band and their music.
My promo-copy contains 11 tracks of pure heavy metal with an epic edge. The band is influenced by thrash metal band, such as; Slayer, Dark Angel, Exodus and classic metal bands such as; Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate and Manowar. I can hear a few Iron Maiden melody-lines as well... at least in track 4.
After a short intro ‘Hell Only Knows’ kicks in with the title track and it really sound like Judas Priest on speed. Not a bad track but the music suffers from a quite weak and “thin” production. And the weak and powerless production really holds the band down in my humble opinion. Just take a listen to track 4 “Soul of Heroes”, a track that reminds me of a mix of Manowar and Iron Maiden... a track way above average, but once again the weak production is doing the band no good.
‘Hell Only Knows’ offers the listener only songs way above average... especially after a few spins... but once again I have to mention the weak production. It sounds more than a demo than a final product. Sad.
If you can live with the production (sigh)... then you can easily add 10 points (or more) to my rating.
A better and more powerful production next time guys, and then you’ll be on the right track.
