| The Haunted "The Haunted Made Me Do It" Earache, 2000 Gloon: If the debut was a deranged serial killer thirsty for your blood, than this release can best be described as the school bully hungry for your lunch money. 'The Haunted Made Me Do It' is not as full on aggressive and 'all out' as the debut, but still delivers on everything we come to expect from this awesome thrashing band. Marco Aro (former Face Down) takes over vocal duties from Peter Dolving and handles the role well keeping with the spiteful yell and adding his own style to the clearer vocalled parts. Once again there is a strong connection to the big four and more of eighties thrash with 'Bury Your Dead' and 'Revelations' having me reminiscing about both 80's and 90's Slayer, and 'Leech' having a familiar Testament feel to it. However it is through these comparisons and familiarities that the Haunted draw their strength and deliver their own brand of thrash to add their name right up with the masters. The only gripes I have is firstly with the crap watery vocal effects used on the tracks 'Under the Surface' and 'Hollow Ground' and the fact that the tracks get shorter and less memorable as the album goes on. Apart from those small bitches a must for fans of thrash from all generations. Favourite Tracks - Bury Your Dead, Trespass, Leech Mark - 7.5/10 The Haunted ‘One Kill Wonder’ Earache, 2003 Gloon:’ ‘One Kill Wonder’ sees the band return in a big way to the pure thrash formulas we love and expect from the band as Slayerism and Swedish brilliance mesh once more for a searing fret ride into speed and semi melodic bliss. Marco Aro retains vocal deliveries and puts in a stronger more hate filled performance this time round leaving the vocal effects and clear passages behind for spite yells and anger drenched screams. The speed and riff magic from Jensen once again continue to amaze while the old At the Gates firm add another notch to their metal resume. ‘One Kill Wonder’ while not featuring the one or two classic, catchy tracks of albums passed is a more comprehensive and complete album especially more so then its predecessor, and does feature a core group of songs sure to be setlist favourites for years to come. Sadly this was to be the last album fronted by Aro ironically just as he was hitting hes stride with the band. Overall another thrash gem from band that is easily deserving of its tag as thrash saviors. Favourite Tracks – Shithead, Godpuppet, Shadow World Rating – 7.5/10 The Haunted ‘rEVOLVEr Century Media, 2004 Gloon: Revolver sees the welcome return of original vocalist Peter Dolving who also resumes his duties as main lyricist. After two more-melodic and fret excessive albums with Marco Aro fronting the band, Peter returns to re-inject the hardcore intensity and sickness to the band which saw them challenging the almighty Slayer for thrash supremacy with their 98 debut. While not always reaching the frenzied pace set on ‘One Kill Wonder’ ‘Revolver packs a heavier punch with slower grinding guitars making the quicker breakdowns and solos more of a stand out than a norm. The album also has more of a swagger and American style stepping away from the almost Gothenburg feel of ‘The Haunted Made Me Do It’ and to a lesser extent OKW. The band utilize Dolving’s range and variation slowing the tempo for the disturbing ‘Abysmal’ and ‘My Shadow’ while still burning the woodwork on monsters ‘Liquid Burns’ and ‘Smut King’. While this may not appeal to fans of the last two The Haunted albums, I find it a welcome change and have always preferred Dolving over Aro anyday. A great if more American approach to thrash metal from Euros answer to Slayer, great stuff!!!!!!!!!!! Favourite Tracks – All Against All, Nothing Right, 99 Rating – 8/10 |
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