Inner Shrine
Pulsar
Bakerteam Records
2013
Inner Shrine have been in the scene since 1995. That’s a long time. So far, they haven’t done anything noticeable to break out of their city’s boundaries and surely I do not see that happening with “Pulsar”.
Although they are labeled as a gothic metal band, the first track is somewhat misleading as it showcases a more extreme metal side of the band. Their music has also numerous doom metal & atmospheric elements as well. After the first wrong impression the band starts to dive into atmospheric, death, doom, gothic music paths with harsh vocals reminding of Valkiria, The Foreshadowing, Saturnus, When Nothings Remains, Daylight Dies and so on. Certainly, they need that “X” factor in order to be compared with the aforementioned bands as their music is way too atmospheric but a bit “hollow”. The abstract harmonies or even the shortage of strong melodies is the part where this band should work hard. Another part that is not working very well is the (whispering & harsh) vocals. They do not accompany the music very harmonically.
There are also two new members on the band’s ranks, the bassist David Cangi (Bull Bastard) & the guitarist Francesco Betti. The original drummer Claudio Tovagli (ex-Ghoul Vault, ex-Inner Hell, ex-Moonchant) has also returned on this album. The production is rather weak and honestly the guy who made the drums sound like a drum machine needs kudos! How the hell did he do that?! Anyway, there are many parts which need updating or a total change if Inner Shrine wanna achieve something better in the years to come.
Although they are labeled as a gothic metal band, the first track is somewhat misleading as it showcases a more extreme metal side of the band. Their music has also numerous doom metal & atmospheric elements as well. After the first wrong impression the band starts to dive into atmospheric, death, doom, gothic music paths with harsh vocals reminding of Valkiria, The Foreshadowing, Saturnus, When Nothings Remains, Daylight Dies and so on. Certainly, they need that “X” factor in order to be compared with the aforementioned bands as their music is way too atmospheric but a bit “hollow”. The abstract harmonies or even the shortage of strong melodies is the part where this band should work hard. Another part that is not working very well is the (whispering & harsh) vocals. They do not accompany the music very harmonically.
There are also two new members on the band’s ranks, the bassist David Cangi (Bull Bastard) & the guitarist Francesco Betti. The original drummer Claudio Tovagli (ex-Ghoul Vault, ex-Inner Hell, ex-Moonchant) has also returned on this album. The production is rather weak and honestly the guy who made the drums sound like a drum machine needs kudos! How the hell did he do that?! Anyway, there are many parts which need updating or a total change if Inner Shrine wanna achieve something better in the years to come.