Well, as I always say, first things first. Covers do deceive. It’s a fact. Even more when the band’s intention is to deceive as we have here with Alluvial with “Death Is But a Door” whose cover looks like those generic Rock albums from the 1960’s and 1970’s. Funny thing is that the cover even emulates the marks of the vinyl when the album gets old, or so very worn. Pay close attention to it as there are some hidden jokes. Bands with sense of humor are another level. I really thought it would be a Heavy Rock or Psychedelic Rock album when I looked at it at first. But, then, I was surprised by a solid Technical Doom Death Metal – does this term really exist? Second, just loved the album tittle “Death Is But a Door” because I do believe so. In a matter of speaking, there is no death, just a door that opens to another level of existence. That’s what the EP is all about.
Ok, then, “Death Is But a Door” is an EP with only four tracks. For the fan’s sake, the tracks are pretty varied not giving that boring impression of the same track all over the album. Each track does have its own personal impression that Alluvial give them. By the way, for the band’s sake, Alluvial are also a band with lots of personality.
The album commences with the Technical Death Metal driven “Bog Dweller” which was a real shock to me as I was expecting something else. Great big guitars with those groovy riffs and lots of technique and prowness. To some extent, it reminded me of Pantera just out of the groove plus the acid vocals. A great greeting card to the EP. Pure and raw violence and technique together. The slow driven guitar riffs do sound as Pantera’s Diamond Darrel would play. “Fogbelt” comes with a slower mood pretty near Doom, but with the bass drumming of Power Metal, if you know what I’m saying. The drumming sometimes doesn’t sound to be perfectly fit to the guitars. That’s the crazyness of it. It takes a lot from a band to play this way. Maybe the track that best represents the album. Then comes “Area Code” with some effects that totally take it from the album mood. The tempo is much faster than the album average, however the guitars do go on with their out-of-space-and-time riffing. Finally, grand finale and tittle track “Death Is But a Door” gives the perfect idea of the philosophical mood of the album. Its slow and acoustic arrangements do fit with the idea the band wants to pass the fan. I guess it really gives the idea of death being only a door.
The feelings of Pantera is what connects all the tracks from the EP. Alluvial got the main technical idea and pushed it further adding more groove and violence.
Alluvial “Death Is But a Door” was released on January 12th via Nuclear Blast Records.
Track Listing:
- Bog Dweller
- Fogbelt
- Area Code
- Death Is But a Door
Watch “Death Is But a Door” official music video here:
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