'THE FORGOTTEN KING'
2011
Review By Matt Hill
Formed in Scotland in 2003, Glasgow based Achren's brand of metal is crushingly heavy and uncompromising
Achren are : Scott Anderson - Vocals, Guitar
Callum Kirk - Lead Guitar
Gordon Johnston - Drums
John Clark Paterson - Bass
With the first few strikes of Gordon Johnston's sticks for the opening track 'Impaled' it is apparent that the latest release from Achren is gonna take no prisoners, the vocals rhythmically beat you into submission with low end death growls closely followed by black metal screams.
The guitars thrash away like a finely tuned engine with lead guitarist Callum Kirk occasionally leaving the perfect monolithic tempo to whisk your ears into a frenzy, with an impressive solo
.
You may have already established this album is brutal, you are repeatedly punched in the face while your chest takes a pounding from the bass of John Clark Paterson, it really is that relentless!
The stand out part for me though are the vocals, even to the most hardcore death metal fan there are times when you can't understand a word that they are growling, well Scott Anderson delivers with clarity, whether it be low end growls or high end screams you can decipher what he is saying, this also achieved without losing any ferocity.
The Forgotten King is a great death metal album with a tinge of black metal for good measure with enough melody and hooks to like it on first listen,
and if you're the kind of metal fan that likes your music to grab you and not let go then is for you.
After playing the cd several times I can assure you there will be no dust will be gathering on my copy of The Forgotten King by Achren.
Track listing :
Impaled
The Way of the Twilight of the Aura of Flies
Bastards on the Gallows or Bastards on the Rack
Fuck it Hard
Fury of the Northmen
The Forgotten King
Darkest Day
Manuel’s Mile
Wings of War
Pestilence
