It all started 2009 with a phone-call conversation between former Asphyx/ Soulburn guitarist and songwriter Eric Daniels, who had been absent from the scene for about nine years (after the “On The Wings Of Inferno” release by Asphyx), and the current members of Asphyx. He talked with them about getting a group together to pursue Death Metal as it used to be played, and Asphyx bassist Alwin Zuur jumped at the chance of playing guitar with Eric. Theo van Eekelen (Hail Of Bullets) joined on bass while drums are provided by Asphyx founder Bob Bagchus, and Martin van Drunen (Hail of Bullets/Asphyx) took up the role of frontman. It was Martin who also came up with the name, and they have all taken on a persona of the court (Magistrate, Executioner etc).
So, considering who is involved expectations are high even though this is a ‘debut’, and with Dan Swanö providing the mix then obviously this is going to be a belter. Well, not exactly.. The guys set out with the idea of recreating what had happened before and in many ways they have succeeded, but the edge and drive is missing. There just isn’t the vitality and danger that one would normally expect from this style of music so even though the guys are all doing a great job there isn’t the spark that would set this alight. Those who are fans of Asphyx or HOB are going to lap this up, but is there really enough in GSBC to make it interesting enough for those who aren’t?
I found that while I was playing the album it wasn’t bad enough for me to go and take it off, but conversely I know that the reason I have come back to it so many times was because I knew that I needed to review it as opposed to listening to it for pleasure.
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