CoC : Chain Collector - The Masquerade : Review

Chain Collector - _The Masquerade_
(Sound Riot, 2005)
by: Nikola Shahpazov (7 out of 10)

With members of Carpathian Forest, Green Carnation and Trail of Tears involved, one would expect Chain Collector to sound predictably Norwegian, perhaps fierce and black, perhaps a bit more In the Woods. Are you in for a surprise... Chain Collector sounds nothing like the ex-bands of its members, although certain elements might suggest past experience has helped them reach a more varied sound with this release. _The Masquerade_ is, after all, hard hitting metal with a distinguishable melodic edge and song structures that swing from heavy to prog to melodic death. Vocals play an important role and vary from distorted and generally more aggressive (not death, yet not black either) to considerably strong clean singing delivering the much beloved choruses. This combination works nicely, at least for a listen or two, but never manages to impress and convince me that Chain Collector are superior to all the bands out there exploring the same hybrid "hard yet melodic" type of extreme metal. Neat guitar solos though, and a couple of worthy tracks, of which the seven minute long and staggeringly good ballad "Crucifixion" is my favourite.

Contact: http://www.chaincollector.com

(article published 16/1/2006)