War Nerve

SteveK review the new album by God Dethroned

It’s strange how pop culture can keep history alive, or kill it.

Take for example the recent big-budget Canadian film, “Passchendaele” which recounted the epic battle of World War I, in which Canadian forces played a key role. The movie was, like so many Canadian historical dramas, so painfully dull that I didn’t even make it an hour into the film.

Without diverting into a movie review (as this is a music magazine, after all) let me just say the movie bored me past the point of caring.

Then I got word that Melodic Death Metal icons God Dethroned were putting out a concept album built around the Battle of Passchendaele, to be known as ‘Passiondale’.

War is a topic that lends itself well to the Metal genre. Songs like “One Shot At Glory” by Judas Priest, “Architecture of Aggression” by Megadeth, but most especially Mettallica’s “One” stands out as one of the best songs about war ever written.

‘Passiondale’ retells the battle from the perspective of the soldiers who fought and died at Passchendaele. Song for song, the album provides the same sort of mood and energy that Metal songs about war are supposed to.

Although I enjoy the Metal genre, the truth is I feel ambivalent about much of the Metal I listen to and review; Metal, more than any other genre, is one that I usually judge on technical merits, because so often I find myself not feeling any connection to or passion for the Metal I do listen to.

‘Passiondale’ is an exception; this album is one that I truly enjoyed listening to; one that handles its subject matter tastefully and passionately; an album that is everything good and brutal about Metal, with excellent lyrics and great music besides.

And as to the Battle of Passchendaele? God Dethroned have done more to pique my interest in reading up on the battle (for starters, from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passchendaele) than Paul Gross overlong and duller than dirt uber-epic.

I recommend this album not only to fans of God Dethroned, but to all Metal fans, and anyone with an open mind (and ear) for good music, no matter the genre.

God Dethroned: Passiondale

Metal Blade

Steve’s Rating: 10/10