Not overly Intense to say the least
In some respects I find reviewing albums such as Intense's new release 'As Our Army Grows' a lot more difficult and frustrating than the really duff CDs that head my way. It's a feeling only a reviewer can get as they trawl through an album that has all the potential and skill to be magnificent, but in the end leaves the reviewer cold, irritated and asking that horrendous question, 'what if'. I wanted to like this album, those who keep up to date with the reviews on Roomthirteen.com will know of my heavy biasness towards British bands, especially towards acts who play a version of metal that is somewhat ridiculed in a country more in favour of pretty boy, flavour of the month bands. Intense and their power metal tendencies immediately make themselves the underdog, and I was on their side before a note was played.
Unfortunately a note WAS played and the illusion I had, that Intense were going to be the modern day pioneers of British power metal, Dragonforce aside of course, was shattered. Perhaps shattered is too harsh a word, maybe cracked and chipped is more suitable because 'As Our Army Grows' is an acceptable chunk of heavy metal, but that's all it is, acceptable. It lacks fire, aggression, attitude and dare I say it, intensity.
The production is solid enough, everything is in its place, the mix is pretty sound and the playing is exemplary with some natty solos by Nick Palmer and Dave Peak, namely on 'You Die Today.' But overall there's something missing, it's difficult to pinpoint where it is. The band certainly play fast, and put there all into their performances, but the hooks and the catchy melodies are quite mediocre. There wasn't a single idea within the first seven songs that made me sit up and take notice. Only when the album reached the 'Chronicles of the new flesh' trilogy did the ideas suddenly make an upturn.
To try and put what I'm saying into perspective, think of a second fiddle Iced Earth playing dice with early Armored Saint whilst being overlooked by Blaze Bailey era Iron Maiden, then you'll get an understand of where Intense sit, musically speaking of course. The album isn't bad by any means it just needs a rocket behind it, a band who are willing to push themselves both musically and creatively, and in that respects I found 'As Our Army Grows' rather frustrating, I wanted more from the band and sadly they weren't delivering it. It should be vastly better, the music should bite, it should make your foot tap, your head nod, your lungs sing, yet even after many many listens, of which it did grow on me after a while, I still found myself unmoved and just as frustrated.
I can't deny this album will appeal to many, Iced Earth fans especially, and I'd love to see this band live as I suspect they'll slay onstage. As an aural experience they need to push their song writing to new heights, beyond the Iced Earths, Freedom Calls and Evergreys of this world. I know they have it in them, one listen to album closer 'Long Live The New Flesh' suggests this, they've just got to step up to the metal plate.