BORN FROM PAIN

Survival

Metal Blade/ CD

For more than 10 years the borderland between hard core and metal is a natural environment of this well known Dutch crew. So without any doubts those guys have had enough time to perfect the formula of noise which combines the most attractive elements from both worlds. And the fifth full-lenght album in band’s career proves that those gentleman didn’t waste that time.

I don’t know if the album’s title refers to the significant personal confusion that took place in band’s ranks. After the departure of Che Snelling the former band’s bassist Rob Franssen took over the vocal duties. We’ve got completely new rhythm section here, too. Andries Beckers is a new bass player and Roy Monnen tortured drums for the first time on BFP album. But for sure quality od new songs justifies the word which was choosen as an album’s title. The first impression that comes to my head – after the intro wchich contais sounds reminding me of street chaos in the metropolis attacked by terrorists – is the fact that, unlike it’s predecessor ( "War") a new record turns more into hard core direction. We’ve got less SLAYER-like riffs here. The heaviness of slow riffs is reduced by Franssen’s vocal tone, which is far higher and less metal than Snelling’s guttural growl. We’ve got also those gangsta choruses taken directly from the NYHC scens’s closet. "State of Mind" is faster track which shows that BFP is able – with the same ease – to explore hard core and metal areas. Rhythmic thrashin’ riffs in the middle section will force most of the metal fans to bang their heads."Sons of the Dying World," with GOREFEST’s distant echoes in the guitar riffs departament is a powerful tracj with interesting melodic lines. That song shows the arrognant and proud face of this band. "Final Collapse" begins with minister introduction about the need of the radical reduction in the size of the human population, from which emerges a middle-tempo ENTOMBED-esque riff perfectly fittin’ the apocalyptic message of the song. "Endgame" - with echoes of SLAYER - and "Zeitgeist" are another Molotov cocktails thrown at the those who are responsible for social order.

And even though in the latter part of the album we have a delicate feeling of monotonousness, it is not something that will strongly disarrange positive impression that "Survival" makes. So many bands already have tried to combine hard core and metal elements. Many will try in the future. Too. But only the best may achieve such a great effect like we have on "Survival". We have : energy, strength and commitment. It’s enough to appreciate BFP.

9/12