Arsis: Visitant (2018)

Melodic death metal is primarily thought of as a European style of metal.  It of course arose primarily out of Sweden with bands like At the Gates, Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, Soilwork and others.  It has recently taken hold in Finland with groups like Omnium Gatherum, Mors Principium Est and Insomnium.  The U.S. by and large has not produced a ton of great melodic death metal bands, but Arsis has always been one of better examples. 

I have been a big fan of Arsis since United in Regret.  I missed out on their last album and have not heard them since Starve for the Devil, frontman James Malone's therapeutic album about his struggle with anorexia, was released in 2010.  Malone dealt with some other issues at one point as well and I honestly did not know Arsis was still around at all.  So I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this album released.

Arsis has always been a fairly technical and progressive band, with a strong influence from latter-era Death, both in the vocal delivery and in the constantly-evolving riffwork.  That propensity shines through here with each song delivering riffs galore and Malone's tortured shrieking.  This is an album that must really be listened to closely and with headphones on.  There is so much going on in it that it is difficult to pick up on without focus.  The first couple of times I heard it, I did not listen to it properly and the album did not really do much for me.  Upon hearing it with headphones though, it grabbed my attention and refused to let go.

The lyrical theme this time around deals with horror stories, which is not overly original.  However, Malone's biggest strength is his shockingly good lyrics.  He is a master storyteller and his songs are damn near poetic.  Look at the opening lines to "Death Vow":

To watch and wait in whispers
Within the scald of blisters.
Once interned in the dust below
The vengeful one has risen, cold.

I am not sure yet where this album falls among Arsis's albums I have heard.  The way that it has been growing on me, it is entirely possible it may turn out to be my favorite.  Only time will tell.

Arsis: Lepers Caress

This is yet another short and intriguing EP from Scion A/V Records.  Arsis has been a band that I have been following fairly closely since I discovered them.  Arsis started out as a very technical melodic death metal band.  Over the years, their technicality has decreased somewhat as they have focused more and more on crafting memorable songs.

Arsis opens things up with an intro track here, which I would argue is probably not necessary on an EP.  But from there, Arsis gets right back at what they do best, which is to rampage through some razor-sharp riffs with insane drumming patterns, and the manic vocals of James Malone.  The EP definitely picks up from there and refuses to waver after that point.  Arsis has continued with their recent trend of making their songs as memorable as possible.  Each track after the introduction has its own infectious moments.

"Veil of Mourning Black" is a re-recording of an early Arsis track.  The remaining tracks are all new.  The closing track "Denied" stands out as the highlight on the EP, ending things on a very high note.

There is not much here to really make an impact on non-fans of the band.  If you like Arsis, you will likely like this one.  If not, this probably will not change your mind.

Favorite New Bands of 2000's Pt. 3: Arsis

Arsis was just discussed briefly on this blog recently on an Initial Impressions piece for the band's new album. Arsis is a band that is somewhat difficult to categorize as they possess influences from thrash, death, melodic death, and even some black metal. The band's music is rooted in standard death metal, but it often features technical riffs and melodic solos running throughout.

Arsis formed in Virginia in 2000. Since inception, the band has gone through numerous lineup changes. The one sole member that has been with the band since the beginning has been guitarist/singer James Malone. It's his band, everyone else is temporary.

I own three albums by Arsis.

United in Regret is the band's second album. It is the album in my collection closest in sound to death metal. The album's lyrical theme is basically one big "fuck you" to a former flame. The album even features a Depeche Mode cover to go with the bleakness inherent in the musical facets.
We are the Nightmare is the band's third album and this is much more varied than the previous album. It features more technical riffs and solos and is overall, a darker sounding album.
The band recently released Starve for the Devil, so named because of Malone's problems with an eating disorder last year. The album features the tongue-in-cheek song "Forced to Rock".

Initial Impressions: Arsis: Starve for the Devil

Arsis has been making waves over the last decade. The Virginia band plays a style of death metal featuring technical riffs and quite a bit of melodic touches as well. They have quickly become one of the better U.S. melodic death metal bands, without descending into the mainstream Gothenburg style.

This album finds the band honing their style and focusing on the melodic aspects of the music without sacrificing any of their technical abilities. The riffs remain as razor-sharp as ever and the guitar solos never cease to impress. The drumming is technical and powerful. The vocals are delivered in a deep growl, although they come close to venturing into black metal style territory at a few points.

One of the most underrated aspects of Arsis is vocalist James Malone's gift for dark poetic lyrics. Malone is a very good lyricist with a strong style and use of language.

Arsis has been going for about ten years now. They are not as brutal and technical as they were in the early days, but they have nevertheless been improving on each album. This album is further proof of their growth as a powerful American death metal band.

2000's Favorite Melodic Death Albums

Amon Amarth: The Crusher: Tough to pick just one album from this band, but if forced, this one wins.

Apophis: I am Your Blindness: Criminally underrated German death metal band with powerful melodies.

Arsis: United in Regret: Technical melodeath band from America proves to have stunning abilities for both technicality and catchiness.

Dark Tranquillity: Character: Melodeath masters on one of their most powerful albums.

In Flames: Clayman: The last great album by the Swedish melodeath powerhouse.

Insomnium: Above the Weeping World: Heart-wrenching melodic death with doom elements from Finland.

Kalmah: They Will Return: Finnish melodic death metal speedsters inject some elements of power metal a la their countrymen Children of Bodom.

Mors Principium Est: Liberation=Termination: Finnish band massively influenced by Gothenburg style and incorporating technoesque effects.

Omnium Gatherum: The Red Shift: Finnish band that is part of a new wave of melodic death.

Skyfire: Spectral: Swedish melodeath band that mixes in elements of power and progressive metal.