On disc: Downspirit

 
 Point Of Origin
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Bulletproof?
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Bulletproof?

(Metalville - 2012)



 
 

 

Right after the tour with Adrenaline Mob the second album of Downspirit gets into stores. The new release is called Bulletproof? and now it's time to find out, if they can deliver!



They kick off with the groove monster Greed, a very heavy tune with a catchy vocal line. Again they combine hard rock melodies with modern metal and in this case you even get some growls! Great opener!



The following Life After Her begins with harmonica and becomes an infectious groover. The vocal line is catchy and singer Steffen Lauth shows once more that he has a great sense for hook lines! Bassist Sven Rakowitz drags you into Get The Fuck Up which shows references to modern metal / metalcore, but only for a moment... And the vocals remind me of some pop tune... But I can't fathom it. Anyway, it's fun. The vocals give The Wish a melancholy edge - and that's nice for awhile. A country edge has Are You Proud, they slow down a bit for this one. More a hard rock tune and the spoken word parts give it a different flavor. If you need a tune to get an idea about this album, check out Hellyeah, it gives a good impression about the Downspirit sound! Or Overload... or any other tune. ;) Even their cover of Roxette's The Look is more than just convincing - and I really like the original!



No need to talk about the guitar play, coz with lead guitarist Cedric 'Cede' Dupont and rhythm guitarist Axel Reissmann they have two excellent guitarists in their ranks. Downspirit's debut album was great and with Bulletproof? they really deliver! Open-minded metal fans who like heavy grooves and catchy vocals, this is a treat for you!

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 













Point Of Origin

(Metalville - 2010)



 
 

 

Downspirit is the new band of Symphorce guitarist Cédric 'Cede' Dupont, a band he founded in 2009 to combine metal music and blues. The former Freedom Call guitarist found partners in crime in singer Steffen Lauth, Pump guitarist Axel Reissmann, bassist Sven Rakowitz and drummer Sebastian Dunkel.



They kick off with the intro Point Of Origin Pt. 1 and head into the song Point Of Origin Pt. 2, a song based on a heavy groove and a bluesy guitar. A heavy, modern metal tune with a catchy melody - good opener! On Love Song they add a dash of country / Southern rock... If you can imagine Pride & Glory mixed with melodic metal, then you get an idea about this one. But it also offers a spoken word part which remind me of Clawfinger... Interesting mix! For Lost they speed up, a fast rocker which combines traditional metal with modern metal, catchy melodies with growls and clean vocals. On top some blues guitar elements. Good Times opens up with a Southern guitar passage and harmonica, but then becomes a real heavy rocker. This one is a real ear catcher! With Hollow Words they offer a balladesque tune which songs of Great White should dig... At Highway Run you get a song which seems to be based on early 90's melodic metal which is spiced up with a dash metalcore. Sounds weird? Well, listen to the song, coz it works! The closer The End is a slow, dark one - but still powerful.



The band succeed in combining modern metal with a blues feeling, great melodies and heavy riffs / grooves. I recommend to check out: Point Of Origin Pt 1/2, Life's A Bitch, The End, Lost and Arisen.

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 







 
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