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ALTAR OF PAIN - The Ritual Has Begun

GENRE: Death metal
COUNTRY: Portugal
FORMAT: CD
LABEL: Self financed
YEAR: August 1st, 2011

RATING: 5/10
REVIEWED BY: PSL
PROVIDED BY: Altar Of Pain

Altar Of Pain is a Madeira located four-piece. The music is death metal fuelled by the music of bands such as Obituary, Deeds Of Flesh and Death. The inspiration isn't too obvious, but it's there.

A common issue is the song-writing. The music often tends to be a bit too same sounding. The Portuguese four-piece do try to vary and make the music interesting. It does work now and then, but often it doesn't. Something that profits the music is that the band sporadically gear up a notch or two and play faster. The solos also make a difference for the better. But overall the problem is the often moderate pace. It does take much of the energy out of the songs.

There are quite a few good riffs and parts, but a lot of it tends to go missing in the more run-of-the-mill kind of stuff. The production doesn't really do much for the music either. It's not very thick or compact and that is not good. Another issue is the vocals. I do like the way that Elder Abreu sings, but more diversity wouldn't hurt. It's part of what it is that makes the music a bit too same sounding.

I'm not out to bash the band. Overall I think The Ritual Has Begun is an alright piece of work, but I do miss a little more nerve and intensity in the music. However I do think that the Portuguese four-piece display some promising traits on The Ritual Has Begun.


Trituração Sanguinária Beast Within Covered in Gore Gutted Alive Splattered Remains Sadistic Human Butchery Dead Souls Deformed to the Extreme Into the Abyss Crimson Shores Pagan Decaying Dagor Bragollach
		ALTAR OF PAIN - The Ritual Has Begun GENRE: Death metal COUNTRY: Portugal FORMAT: CD LABEL: Self financed YEAR: August 1st, 2011 RATING: 5/10 REVIEWED BY: PSL PROVIDED BY: Altar Of Pain Altar Of Pain is a Madeira located four-piece. The music is death metal fuelled by the music of bands such as Obituary, Deeds Of Flesh and Death. The inspiration isn't too obvious, but it's there. A common issue is the song-writing. The music often tends to be a bit too same sounding. The Portuguese four-piece do try to vary and make the music interesting. It does work now and then, but often it doesn't. Something that profits the music is that the band sporadically gear up a notch or two and play faster. The solos also make a difference for the better. But overall the problem is the often moderate pace. It does take much of the energy out of the songs. There are quite a few good riffs and parts, but a lot of it tends to go missing in the more run-of-the-mill kind of stuff. The production doesn't really do much for the music either. It's not very thick or compact and that is not good. Another issue is the vocals. I do like the way that Elder Abreu sings, but more diversity wouldn't hurt. It's part of what it is that makes the music a bit too same sounding. I'm not out to bash the band. Overall I think The Ritual Has Begun is an alright piece of work, but I do miss a little more nerve and intensity in the music. However I do think that the Portuguese four-piece display some promising traits on The Ritual Has Begun.