Believer Gabriel
by Matthew Hoffman
Former Staff Writer
Believer a Christian progressive/thrash metal outfit from Pennsylvania, are back with Gabriel, out now on Metal Blade Records. It is the band’s fourth full length album of original material in their 22-year existence. The record is diverse and full of beautiful passages but has enough pure aggression that no one would know these boys are followers of Christ.
The drums and guitar riffs are rapid, spirited and very aggressive on this album at times and show the bands propensity to conquer this aspect of metal. The first song “Medwton” is a good example of the band showing their acumen within “pure metal.” It even has a furious guitar solo that sneaks up on you and conquers everything you felt was Holy.
This album also uses a good deal of sampling including one passage in “Nonsense Medicated Decay” where a man ridiculously recounts his experience with either aliens or some other supernatural being within a cool metal groove. This cut also gets funky with what sounds like a person “beat-boxing” a percussive beat on the song “Nonsense Medicated Decay” like we saw in the emerging ‘80s rap scene from artists like Biz-Markee and The Fat Boys.
On the last track there is a sample of a Russian Cosmonaut counting and speaking in Russian as well as light airy pieces and ones that sound like circus tones. This “untitled” track also has lots of distortion and tremendous rhythm section work from drummer Joey Daub and bassist Elton Nestler.
The bottom line with this record is there are a lot of special moments and this band is about as unique as it gets.
The only critique is that with all the sampling and experimentation the album is not very fluid or cohesive, but that’s the price you pay to receive the “sickness.”
This is one of the best records of not only 2009 but of the last several years as well. It is highly recommended for purchase; welcome back Believer.
Rating 8.4/10
Band Members
Kurt Bachman – Vocals, Guitar
Joey Daub -Drums
Jeff King – Keyboards and Programming
Elton Nestler – Bass and Programming
Kevin Leaman – Guitars
Track Listing
1. Medwton
2. A Moment In Prime
3. Stoned
4. Redshift
5. History Of Decline
6. The Need For Conflict
7. Focused Lethality
8. Shut Out The Sun
9. The Brave
10.
11.
12.
13. Nonsense Mediated Decay
Untitled Track
Untitled Track
Untitled Track
HRH Rating: 8.4/10