11 Mar 2010 // A review by CEOMong
It’s been what feels like a decade (in reality only a little more than 2 years) since their last offering (The Price Of $ellvation), and let me tell you it’s well worth the wait. JOF sound more mature, polished and evolved, making this a beautifully put together album. Everything’s clean but rugged at the same time, every bar chucking out wicked glittery metal chunks of molten-steel-centred audio goodness.
This is an epically huge and grand album, one that will join my permanent playlist in its entirety. There’s something about it that makes it somehow vital and kind of ... right.
I was constantly guessing and amazed the whole way through - every single time. Cool to hear there’s some Wardness about it too – took me a while but I eventually figured it out. Tightly packed and refined, I’m loving it every time I listen.
Gorgeous liner notes in red and gold, the artwork is astounding and lends yet another facet of brilliance. The whole thing is beautifully crafted, engineered & mastered – kudos to all involved, this is some rare synergy.
Stop reading now and get this album. I’m serious. Why are you still reading? Go.
I - Red Dawn
Sweet drilling, atmos-building gax, rolling in and out of short dropping rhythms. Nice beefy ass-kickin’ intro.
II - Memoir of a Dying Star
Fast running, polished and full. Clean audible vox, nice balance between the rhythm and gax – none of the overpowering instrumentals or screaming that are so rife these days. Lots going on, but certainly not at the cost of the overall tune. Wicked sweet.
III - When the Knife Comes Down
More well balanced busyness, continuation of the overall theme, but all sorts of capering around within this – kind of chaotic yet fucking awesome all at the same time. Always guessing, it’s pleasant perhaps because it’s so professionally done.
IV - Dead Inside
Melodic intro, martial theme with a nice little bass thrum. Busts in your face in with a nice little gax hook. Once again well mixed vox, for me this is well nice metal – audible, innovative, furious but tame. Sweet.
V - Let it Out
Staunch intro, climbs nice and high before launching into more kick arse metal. Let it out indeed – a frickin’ sweet bust out mosh hard song.
VI - As I Wanna Be
Cool LP crackle (yes kids, that’s what that is), ninja backing picking. Nice. Mellow vox in the verses, strong deep rhythms. Beasty angry chorus.
VII - Cult of the Vampire
An 8 minute song that doesn’t nearly seem that long, let alone 500 years old! Kind of heraldic and somehow implies a fanfare in places – I don’t know if that’s the right words (nor do I care, this is my review and I can write what I want!). Another immense track. Wicked trippy skirling-ish bits. Out of it.
VIII - Lay the Wreath
Nice head banging boot stomping beat right from the initial hook. Grinding sweet chorus, powerful but not overpowering. Awesome.
IX - Wasted Life
Slower start, sneaking into a full on body sway. More growly vox enhances yet another beasty track. Enchanting chorus. Loving the epic riffs – especially the escalated tempo bits that sneak on up.
X - Blood Horizon
More plucky fingering and staunch rhythms, a masterful way to end an outstanding album.
So yeah, you get that its good, right? Now you go have a listen – you won’t regret it.
Hey, where’s my Vagina?!
CEOMong