CoC : Summon - Baptized by Fire : Review

Summon - _Baptized by Fire_
(The Plague / Hammerheart, 2000)
by: Paul Schwarz (7 out of 10)

_Baptized by Fire_ spends most of its time attempting to flatten its listener with a whirlwind of lightning fast blastbeats, double bass runs and incomprehensible solos. However, despite showing considerable technical ability, this tactic merely results in the band bringing to mind the bastard child of a union between second rate Angel Corpse and Marduk clones. Interposed between _BbF_'s speedy opening and closing tracks is the mid to slow-paced number "Realm of No Return". The tracks surrounding it varying tempo more than earlier tracks but remain centrally speed driven. Though more varied, and in the case of "Realm of No Return" adopting a different modus operandi, these differences only minorly contradict my previous characterisation of Summon. Certainly _BbF_ contains nothing that can be called original, but that's not to say it isn't listenable, competent and momentarily good.

(article published 12/8/2000)

ALBUMS
9/14/1997	S Hoeltzel	8	Summon - Dark Descent of Fallen Souls