Embedded Files
CRUEL FORCE “Haneda”
CRUEL FORCE “Haneda”
By Theron Moore
Germany’s CRUEL FORCE recently dropped their new album “Haneda” via Shadow Kingdom Records and it’s, well, interesting. I dug the vibe of track two, “Whips A Swinging,” which I took as an indication that this record was gonna kick ass, and don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad metal by any means, but when I hit the 2-minute 22 second mark I swear I heard part of MEGADETH’s “Wake Up Dead.” I had to stop the song, rewind it, and play it over again. Yep, I’m pretty sure that was it. If that isn’t the riffy, mid-tempo change of “Wake Up Dead,” ya got me. Maybe it was some kind of wink and nod to Mustaine and company until I heard a tidbit of another famous riff in “Black Talon,” at the 1 minute 22 second mark. I won’t say what song or band I think it’s from because I want you the listener to be the judge. Maybe I’m hearing something that isn’t there, who knows, right?
“Savage Gods,” was kind of more of the same thing as track two, complete with the trademark drum fill from “Whips A Swinging” – listen to this song and you’ll know what I mean – and track four as well. CRUEL FORCE must really dig that repetitive drum fill because it appears in the first five songs and makes sneaky surprise appearances in tracks six through nine. “Crystal Skull,” complete with recurring trademark drum fill, is a 4 minute 52 second instrumental. I’m not a fan of instrumentals, especially long ones, or record intros that go over a minute, and “Haneda” has both. Best song on this disc? “Titan’s Awakening.”
I can keep critiquing this record, but I won’t, I made my point. The positive about “Haneda” is that if you dig good, catchy speed metal (think EXCITER, that’s what occurred to me) you’ll enjoy what CRUEL FORCE is doing here.’ For me, I didn’t hear much of anything new that pulled me in. The musicianship in the band is top notch, the songs are OK, but that’s as far as I go. Look, don’t listen to me, go to Bandcamp, and stream “Haneda”, I’ll let you decide.
3/5 Stars
Report abuse