1 Nov 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Tainted - Album Review: Into Temptation

03 May 2015 // A review by River Tucker

Once again Tainted have delivered an outstanding album full of powerful riffs and massive soundscapes with enough subtle nuance to satisfy even the most refined metal connoisseur.

Combining solid song construction and excellent engineering, Into Temptation merges all the elements required for a successful release. The cohesion within the twelve tracks is a wonder to behold, especially considering the band has gone through a number of line-up changes.

After an old school guitar intro, with a slight effect hiss, Avarice starts the ball rolling with some formidable musicianship that draws you into an exceptionally heavy chorus. In places there’s a big contrast between the bass frequencies where they almost drop out, making it even meaner when they kick back in.

Covering lots of styles, Bleed for Me is sure to get the crowd chanting. Its breakdown is an excellent variation on the songs theme, with a lot of effort going into developing its structure.

Bring the Apocalypse is a lyrically drenched track that, in places, changes into a faster Death (band) like pace. It segues perfectly into Torch the Ground’s slow tempo and opening riff, which is worth the entry fee alone.

Bringing all Tainted’s strengths to the fore Within the Crucible has a number of timing changes and blast beats that make it a head bangers dream come true.

Opening with a lovely acoustic guitar intro Premonitions, one of the main features of this awesome release is Before the Void. Sections of this song are the heaviest you’ll hear anywhere.

An Immortal like lyric starts Nothing Lasts Forever off wickedly. The scope of the vocal delivery is extraordinary on this but some of the riffs are a bit too similar to the previous track.

Wastrel steps things up a gear with faster segments that are sure to get the crowd slamming. The unyielding bass tone really helps the guitars soar. 

The Metallica texture and samples in 8mm make it stand out for all the right reasons. Then with speed, harmonics and fantastic screaming, Worthless has a Carcass quality that’s sure to raise some hell.

With the help of producer Clint Murphy, Tainted have experimented a bit with their guitar sound, which at times gets a bit synth like. It will be interesting to see if they can pull off these effects live.

The standout throughout is Slim’s vocal technique, which has taken on a more Chimaira or Lamb of God characteristic. Despite a few dated solo’s, it’s a flawless performance by Tim and Linly. Bringing it all together is Mo’s solid drum patterns interspersed by unrelenting blast beats that give the tracks a nice sharp edge. Not to be outdone, Liam’s bass lines are most conducive to moshing.

Into Temptation is a sonic improvement on Tainted’s first album The Awakening, released in 2006. It also expands upon the 2008 coming of age release Carved and Created. There’s not much variation, but then again why change a winning formula?

Check it out today.
4/5

 

About Tainted

Tainted are a 5 piece metal band from Christchurch, they have played alongside the likes of Blindspott, 8 Foot Sativa, Sinate, State of Integrity (AUS) and Parkway Drive (AUS), to name a few.




Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Tainted

Releases

Into Temptation
Year: 2015
Type: Album
Carved And Created
Year: 2008
Type: Album
The Awakening
Year: 2006
Type: Album

Other Reviews By River Tucker

Lucid Shift - EP Review: Aonaran
18 Oct 2024 // by River Tucker
You would be hard pressed to not get excited about Lucid Shift’s debut EP, Aonaran. But be warned, this release isn’t for the fainthearted.
Read More...
Amanaki - EP Review: Embers
22 Jul 2024 // by River Tucker
Amanaki might not be a household name yet, but along with their indie label, North Supply Co., they’re definitely on track to grab your attention.
Read More...
Silcrow - EP Review: Silcrow
14 Jun 2024 // by River Tucker
Aiming for the stars, Silcrow’s seven-track EP merges American-style rock with a touch of Seattle grunge in a well-produced release that will appeal to many generations of music lovers, but mainly to those whose musical awakening happened sometime in the 90’s.As well as changing their name from Close To The Bone to the much more kick-arse Silcrow, these four young guys from Auckland have been working hard on the live circuit (bar a short hiatus during lockdown) to get their songs fully dialled in and ready for the studio.
Read More...
Parasitic Infestation - EP Review: Promo EP
21 Apr 2024 // by River Tucker
If you’re looking for some great metal music, you’ve come to the right place. Hardworking up-and-coming band Parasitic Infestation, who specialise in Brutal Death Metal, are set to make your ears bleed with their latest promo release, consisting of three deliciously heavy songs (plus bonus tracks) that I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
Read More...
Album Review: The Death Spell
12 Dec 2023 // by River Tucker
There’s a real whisky drinking, bare knuckle fighting edge to the self-titled debut album by The Death Spell, kicking off with Nail You Higher Than Before. Obviously, song lyrics are in your face on this track, especially for any Christians in the audience, but you couldn’t ask for a better intro to the musical style of this Auckland-based band.
Read More...
Beastwars - Gig Review: Reign of the Beast @ Whanganui Musicians Club, Whanganui - 13/10/2023
15 Oct 2023 // by River Tucker
If you're into metal music, the Musicians Club in Whanganui was the place to be last Friday night for a feast of auditory delights to satisfy even the hungriest of souls. Brought to you by Lost Art and Panhead beer, Beastwars and Shepherds Reign headlined an epic concert that was set to bring the house down on the first leg of their not-to-be-missed Reign of the Beast tour.
Read More...
End of an Empire - Album Review: Best Laid Plans
25 Sep 2023 // by River Tucker
It’s been a couple of years since End of an Empire released their favourably reviewed debut album, Within, Without in 2020. Since then, the Wellington-based four-piece have obviously put their time to good use by writing Best Laid Plans, which is arguably one of the finest Hardcore releases to come out of New Zealand this year.
Read More...
The Rising Tide - Gig Review: Inferno - Youth Rock & Metal @ The Stomach, Palmerston North - 5/08/2023
07 Aug 2023 // by River Tucker
It’s not often that you get treated to a mid-winter concert where nearly every metal genre is being performed. But that’s exactly what happened at The Stomach in Palmerston North last Saturday night where four bands gave it their all in a rip-roaring all-ages show that will undoubtedly leave the hundred or so people who attended with lasting impressions.
Read More...
View All Articles By River Tucker

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem