The Pitch: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania blackened melodic death metal band Seraph In Travail serve up a hook-laden new album. FFO: The Black Dahlia Murder, Vale Of Pnath, Cradle Of Filth
What I Like: Another great moment where a band I had never heard of before completely blew me away within a just few seconds time. From the opening choir of "At The Stormed Shore Of Heaven," it seems clear that we are in for something truly epic. And while many bands make the same promise with this trope, few deliver like Lest They Feed Upon Your Soul. Seraph In Travail have clearly sold their souls to the almighty lord of the riff, and this is a big part of what makes them shine so brightly. Similar to the likes of The Black Dahlia Murder and Vale Of Pnath with some Cradle of Filth for good measure, what follows is a seemingly endless barrage of catchy hooks, soaring harmonies, and over-the-top solos complimented by lush symphonic arrangements. That part towards the middle of "In Frostbitten Moonlight" literally gave me goosebumps. And the vocals are nothing to sneeze at either, favoring Dani Filth-esque blackened snarls but also throwing in some semi-operatic cleans to further shake things up.
Critiques: The average song length on this album is between 6 and 7 minutes, and it does feel a little bit gratuitous. It's another case where I feel like trimming the fat would make for a stronger, tighter listening experience. That said, I was never really bored and they fill the runtime better than most.
The Verdict: Lest They Feed Upon Your Soul is an absolutely sick album that should please fans of the bands listed above and further inspire future generations of metal guitar players. I had zero expectations going into my first experience of Seraph In Travail, but you'd better believe that I will remember their name the next time it shows up in my queue.
Flight's Fav's: In Frostbitten Moonlight, You Will Be My Vengeance, Worlds Strewn Like Wreckage
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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