Portall - Code Black - review

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Portall - Code Black - review

Cover image of the reviewed item
Band
Portall
Album
Code Black
Style
Thrash metal
Release date
January 31, 2009
Reviewer
7.3
6.0
Tracklist
01. Left For Dead
02. Code Black
03. Silenced
04. In Memoriam
05. Mind On Fire
06. Where Vultures Feast
07. I Prevail
08. Act Of Killing
09. Tongue Of The Snake
10. The Premier Plague
A review by
Lucas
May 28, 2009
In 2003, not all that far from where I live, although not exactly a walking distance either, the Dutch Thrash metal band Portall formed. Six years later they're out with their début album. "Code Black" is the name, and you guessed it right, I'm going to give it a review. Without further ado, here it goes:

Portall play Thrash with a few Deathy bits and pieces: no bull, no compromises. The guys from Portall have focused minds and they deliver their Thrash with melody, aggression and conviction. For the well-seasoned Thrashhead it'll be nothing new and perhaps a bit unexciting, but for me, someone that hasn't listened to any Thrash in quite some time now, it's an enjoyable and catchy album. I do have one point of criticism though – besides the lack of an original sound – which concerns the vocals. Vocalist Rutger and his voice dwell between a deep growl and a higher, more aggressive scream, but he doesn't really pull it off all too well. The way he lingers in between he lacks both the power of the deep growl and the venom of the scream. Later on in the album he improves, as if he need a little warming-up, and suddenly sounds quite a lot better.

Thriving on tight riffs with a bunch of cool solos, they successfully execute the formula o' Thrash once written by the legends, spiced up with a couple of Death metal influences to create a meatier sound, Portall are a good fun band. From my point of view it is a welcome change from the everlasting Doom / Black metal aura that clouds my mind, but for those that listen to Thrash on a daily basis it may not be anything special. So, ask yourself what you're looking for in your Thrash and you'll know what to do.
Rating breakdown
Performance: 8
Songwriting: 8
Originality: 6
Production: 7
Written on 28.05.2009 by
Lucas
Written on 28.05.2009 by
Lucas
If you're interested in extreme, often emotional and underground music, check out my reviews. I retired from reviewing, but I really used to be into that stuff.
More reviews by Lucas ››

Comments

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Comments: 2 Visited by 27 users
Shadowcross
The Summoner

Posts: 483
Permalink
02.06.2009 - 00:08
Shadowcross
The Summoner

Posts: 483


I like their stuff.. do they have a previous demo as well?
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Damnated
Churchburner

Posts: 4943
Permalink
04.06.2009 - 02:00
Damnated
Churchburner

Posts: 4943


i thought this was a review for the australian band, and i came to complain about the second l in the name, ha.
----
Blessed is he that murders Christ in himself and in his fellow men.



Written by TheBigRossowski on 10.02.2009 at 16:01

if my wife and I can't conceive, I want a medical shipment of your sperm so our baby will be just like you.

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