Hailstone - Epitome

Hailstone

Epitome

by Joseph “Joe” Thundercloud at 28 February 2017, 7:57 PM

Sometimes musical tags or just the idea of fitting everything into a field of conception may seem like a more digestible treat for our brain, but the idea of letting go of borders and limitations is what provides human creativity in art and mostly music, with the necessary ingredient to become transcendental and sometimes immortal. A band’s second album is a great example of one of the most important turning points in its creative life. Such is the case of “Epitome”, Germany’s Hailstone sophomore full length work; an outstanding performance captured in eleven tracks of a relentless intent to enter today’s Metal elite.

The opening Track, “Call to repentance renders a time flow of beats along with a progression of melodies linked to the vocals, conferring a relentless style of harmony in the multiple changes reserved for the first track alone, which gives you an indication of the rest of “Epitome” as a point of evolution in the life of this band that can very well be reduced to the phrase ‘Getting there is only half the battle’. Usually described as one of Germany’s most promising Death Metal Act, this follow up to the band’s 2012 “The Greater Counterfeit” alternates a great motion of melodic sequences along with bone crunching Death Metal vocals and a double bass drum execution worthy of the Great beelzeboss. In an introduction worthy of reckoning in accordance to a notable metal performance that can only leave wanting for more of this up and coming German band.

“The Shore” The album’s 6^th track is unwillingly structured as a contemporary symphony containing elements of ambient along with the melodic death metal structure built along the backbone of this record. Breaking the album in two, leading to a second part in which “Bulletstorm” is worked up as the zenith and thus the beginning of the post climax for an album which will surely pave the way for a bright future for HAILSTONE in the upcoming Metal festivals and subsequent tours, in order to continue building a strong and faithful fanbase.

Consistence and stamina are two words that would define Hailstorms Epitome, and the band’s career so far.  But then again in an epitome of tagging and genre defining, Hailstone can maybe be the unspoken founders, along with bands, like AETHERIAN and POWERWOLF of the Epic Death Metal genre.

Songwriting: 9
Originality: 8
Memorability: 9
Production: 10