Collateral Defect

Nuclear Blast

Change is nothing new for Italy's Graveworm as the masters of the dark and haunting continue to maintain the evolution of their sound, as is debatably noticed with 2007’s Collateral Defect. While they have definitely expanded their songwriting skills they have also managed to stay the course with uncompromisingly significant distinctiveness i.e. potent black metal with a gothic theatricality. This of course is no doubt derived from their early extreme metal influences ala Cradle of Filth.

Diehard fans will no doubt embrace the bands durable steadfastness to the adamant metallic prowess that is found throughout the album, especially when it comes to the Nordic Black Metal stylings of "Bloodwork". Indulgent spins can attribute the latter class for inspiring much of the new American metalcore movement as is evidenced in such cuts as "Fragile Side" and the bands truly remarkable if somewhat out of place cover of Bonnie Tyler's "I Need a Hero". In addition Collateral Defect serves to include lush acoustic ballads (“Reflections”) and even a portion of industrial electronics ("Reflections") thrown in for good measure. However the CD’s primary focus remains a vehement monstrosity with keyboards that accentuate the overall compositional structures. Songs such as "The Day I Die" and "Scars of Sorrow" most notably incorporate this ambient attack.

In all consideration, Collateral Defect proceeds quite well by corresponding the former with the latter, and should appease the appetites of most Graveworm fans. Open mindedness is a key element in listening to this CD and is also something that the fans are probably aware of being supporters of the band already.

-Priest