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HELL: Human Remains (Album Review)

By Kate Wilcox

Release Date: May 13th, 2011
Review Date: April 29th, 2011
Record Label: Nuclear Blast

My rating:



    Track Listing:
  1. Overture Themes from Deathsquad
  2. On Earth as it is in Hell
  3. Plague and Fyre
  4. The Oppressions
  5. Blasphemy and the Master
  6. Let Battle Commence
  7. The Devils Deadly Weapon
  8. The Quest
  9. Macbeth
  10. Save Us from Those Who Would Save Us
  11. No Martyrs Cage

Who would have thought that a band that originally didn't have any releases except for a few demo tapes in the mid-eighties would be able to make a comeback like this? Highly overlooked by music journalists and record labels, Hell quickly became an underground act that only emerged to play the occasional concert. Producer Andy Sneap who is also the permanent guitarist for Hell has been the driving force behind bringing Hell back and of course producing this highly anticipated album that will be released on Friday May 13th. Yep, Friday the 13th. Who would expect anything less?

The question is can Hell still maintain that spirit of the eighties and deliver something that will be able to compete with bands today? Ummm ... fuck yeah they can! Starting with the majestic intro "Overture Themes from the Deathsquad", you can tell that the production is brilliant, giving full credit to Andy. He has given a raw and powerful feel to each track, seeing as he's worked with bands such as Accept, Arch Enemy and more, the guy definitely knows what he's doing. David Bower's vocals maintain that old power metal sound but also bring in a new level of aggression on "On Earth as it is in Hell". "Plague and Fyre" is a haunting track with eerie piano and searing guitar. David wails on in the background before it goes into full speed and they deliver a chorus that is incredibly catchy.

"The Devils Deadly Weapon" is one of the longest tracks clocking in at ten minutes but is also one of the most mesmerizing as it starts out on a battlefield and then goes into what sounds like someone pledging their soul to the devil, followed by mournful female cries and symphonic keyboards. With methodical drumming in the back this carries a great rhythm while David takes you on a journey that tells of battle, betrayal and the destruction of mankind.

I'm actually glad that this album wasn't released in the eighties because I don't think it would have received the attention that it respectfully deserves. I believe that Hell has rekindled the soul of classic British heavy metal by transcending the spirit of yesterday's metal into today. "Human Remains" is not an album you want to pass up, metalheads from every generation will find something to appreciate on here. I see only good things happening for Hell after this release!

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