### Weapon: Embers and revelations

#### 29/11/12 || gk

Formed in Bangladesh in 2003, Weapon has slowly established itself as a premier blackened death metal act in the underground through the course of a couple of EP’s and albums. During that time, main man Vetis Monarch moved base to Canada and put together a new line up there. The band’s 2010 release “From the devil’s tomb” was one of my favourite albums from that year and “Embers and revelations” was a highly anticipated release.

The first thing to strike me is that “Embers and revelations” has the cleanest sound of any Weapon album so far. The murk and dirtiness of old is all but gone and replaced by a crisp and clear sound that makes every note stand out. The bands blend of death metal, thrash, vaguely eastern sounding riffs and blackened atmosphere was always a potent combination and the songs here are as good as anything the band has done so far. It’s the guitars of Vetis Monarch and new recruit Rom Surtr that drive these songs forward. Whether displaying razor sharp riffs, complex and intricate structures, eastern melodies or solos that are perfectly placed and played, these 2 pretty much steal the show. Behind the drum kit, The Disciple seems to have upped his game as well and his performance here is a masterclass in precision and power. His use of double bass and blast beats in particular really drives these songs forward. Kha Tumos’s bass has a slightly bigger role than usual and he delivers in spades whether in locking down with The Disciple or providing some pretty kickass fills of his own.

I guess the first holy shit moment on this album comes early on with the second song Vanguard of the morning star and its ascending riff that just makes me want to bang my head with a big foolish grin on my face every time I listen to this song. Elsewhere on the album Liber Lilith continues Monarch’s fascination with the female demon form and is one powerful song. The middle section where The Disciple goes off into double bass destruction mode and Monarch and Surtr trade leads is another high point of the album. Title song “Embers and revelations” continues the bands propensity for absolutely destructive riffing and the groove they hit at just over 2 minutes is spell binding. Album closer Shahenshah (or King of Kings) starts with a mid-paced groove and a snaky guitar part layered over it before it goes off into the final third of the song with a superb lead guitar section and closes the album in memorable fashion.

Weapon sound terrific on “Embers and revelations”. Yes, the sound is a lot clearer but that’s been the case with every release the band has put out. What’s more apparent here is that the sloppiness of “Drakonian paradigm” and “From the devil’s tomb” has been replaced by a precise and potent attack. Monarch’s Satanism is still deadly serious and his lyrics make for fine reading. While I personally miss the murk and enthusiastic energy of old, there’s nothing here that I can really fault. The album gets better with every listen and is quite addictive with solid replay value.

If there’s any justice at all, then Weapon should see some success on the back of “Embers and revelations”. This is an excellent third album from this Canadian horde and with the backing of Relapse and a few high profile tours, the band should step out of the shadows of the underground and into the collective conscious of metal heads everywhere.

- Information
- Released: 2012
- Label: Relapse
- Website: www.weaponchakra.com
- Band
- Vetis Monarch: vocals, guitars
- Rom Surtr: guitars
- Kha Tumos: bass
- The Disciple: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. The First Witnesses of Lucifer
- 02. Vanguard of the Morning Star
- 03. Crepescular Swamp, Unhinged Swine
- 04. Liber Lilith
- 05. Grotesque Carven Portal
- 06. Embers and Revelations
- 07. Disavowing Each in Turn
- 08. Shahenshah