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"Wollt ihr den totalen Krieg ?" A
multi-structured Melodic Death among influences of Thrash, fast Death,
Melodic Rock and a drop of Hard-core. This concept album is rich in
political engagement and musical techniques. Evil vocals and elastic
drums are some of the constant features.
The XXth
century is the past century, the last century of the past millennium. It
was only yesterday, we are all born during the XXth century (apart from
some "vampires", maybe !) but it's past, out, finito, history,
ready for student books. With all its social struggles, all its
scientific inventions, all its new streams in painting and literature,
but also with its terrible wars... it's history. And it was only
yesterday...So enough material for a concept
album, and if the engagement is not only musical but also political and
social, there is no better idea. An idea that the
Italian Node develop very well with Das Kapital that is considered their
best album till now, and i really think it's true. After many
ups and downs and problems and line up changes, Node make now a great
step. From the musical point of view this album is complex : but above
all is Melodic Death. And from the moment that Death can be the fulcrum of
many hybridizations and many experimentations, we see Node placed in a
melodic Death frame opened to varied influences like Thrash, fast
Death attacks, Swedish melodic Death. And even Melodic Rock.
The opener War
goes on is mix between resolute harsh Death and Melodic Heavy and
Rock. Guitar solos are much Rock oriented. War goes on is
definitely rich in starting points : an Italian way to integrate the
strength of Death, underlined by Daniel Botti's evil vocals that
contribute to let appear Node as a band influenced
by Hypocrisy, Dark Tranquillity, Soilwork and In Flames. The
same considerations can be applied to Twenties, where, however,
drums are surprising us revealing a good ability in double bass and
blasting attacks, which alternate in the deep melody, melody which
is a bit masked but very recognizable.
It's with Outpost
that we reach anyway a real good level, and, though the
temperament brings Node so much near to the Swedish masters of the
style, the fusion between solid Melodic Death and a long stretched
string tension, creates a result of its own, even with a certain Black
propulsion.
Change of
register and rocking intro for The East Ghost, that develops a
soft spot for modern metal in the wake of the new In Flames, followed by
the title track Das Kapital, which is opened by a short
original nazi record, an important speech to the folk of the Reich
: "wollt ihr den totalen Krieg ?" (do you want the total war
?). Das Kapital, where a nervous, fast, angry but catchy Death
appears married with many Thrashy tones, without missing some Hard-core
colours : a neck-breaker.
Retreat 42
is imo the best song of the album : with a melodic talent that could be
appreciated by Hypocrisy fans, supported by a massive Rock skeleton. It
is catchy, it is refined, it is heavy and hammering. It could be
"seen" pleasantly both by Metallers and Rockers.
But also the
remaining tracks need attention : for example the blasting fast attack
of Weaknessphere, in full European taste, with its short
experimental moments and elastic drums. Or we could speak about The
Plot sickens with its balladesque intro which fades into a
massive melodic mid tempo featuring crunchy guitars and traces from old
Metallica. One Way Media delivers much energy with its fast
killing attitude and angriness, while Empire (Queensr˙che cover)
is suitable for the musical vision of Node cause again moves into Rock
direction on the shoulders of a dark rhythmic. Few Words
again closes the album with final killing drums and speed
attack.
All
in all, Das Kapital is a remarkable album able to give oxygen to a wide
target. In the future Node should identify better their musical
direction choosing definitively which side should be walked with
firmness. But, at the moment, we are anyway glad to taste an
Italian Death, varied, opened, complex, like the new trend asks. United
we stand.
Rating: 8/10
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