CoC : Cessation of Life - Path of Totality : Review

Cessation of Life - _Path of Totality_
(Independent, 2008)
by: Quentin Kalis (6 out of 10)

This is the fourth studio album from the resolutely independent and unashamedly retro quartet. The last time this style may have sounded contemporary was when the first Bush was president, but this is hardly a deterrent to thrashers who were not even conceived of, let along conceived when classics like _Reign in Blood_ and _Under the Sign of Evil_ were released, so why not speed metal? Actually, the description is a bit of a misnomer; there is not much speed present, with the maximum velocity being a comfortable mid-tempo. The production seeks to emulate that of the days of yore with a roughened edge, whilst the songs are kept relatively brief, with few extraneous elements. (This is rare in an independent release, where the trend is towards ever-longer songs.) There are a few catchy riffs and the songs are well arranged, if a bit too orthodox, resulting in a release that plays it safe, rather than break beyond its self defined borders.

Contact: http://www.cessationoflife.com

(article published 6/1/2009)