La oscuridad

VORAX – LA OSCURIDAD.

The first thing I noticed about the newest Vorax release is that they have a more angular sound towards the guitars. Not really angular in a bad way (like Machine Head), if not more “modern” with the guitar tone being quite soaked and all that, you know what I’m talking about.
The good thing about this album is that each and every speed metal number on here is efficient and works fine in the task to deliver riffs and passion and easily manages to catch the listener.

The opener “Soy La Oscuridad” is a pretty good and catchy mid-paced track, featuring some good underlying riffs on the verses and a nice chorus. Overall, it’s a really good way to start the album. “Si Te Cuesta Es Tuyo” is the mandatory speed metal number relying on the sheer velocity of the riffs that Vorax always pull off; in fact, I dare to say it’s the best song on the album.

“Un Sentimiento Más” is another nifty speed metal number, with the guitars on the front, like you should always do. “Requiem” and “La Misma Pasion” are quite plodding, not really bad but just a bit boring.

“De Italianos y Españoles” is yet another poured off speed metal tune, counting with a catchy if a bit weird chorus (the vocalist’s tone on that chorus is quite strange at first). The same goes for “Tu Ritmo Apesta”, another consistent fast-paced number.

The rest of the songs are pretty decent too, “Estigmas” is a bit too overlong, “No soy como él” and “Hombre Rata” are good in their own way. “El Monje Negro” is the typical bludgeoning and chug-wise tune, with lots of heavy layers, and the last song, “Casí Un Himno” is a pretty emotional and acoustic number drawing references to the Argentine national anthem.

Conclusion: All in all a pretty good speed/heavy metal album. Not as overtly mandatory as Vorax’s debut album, but still pretty good.