Originally written by Jordan Campbell
Employing a wicked-fast strain of modern death metal, The Reckoning aim to blast n’ pummel their way into the hearts of those that bow at the altars of Krisiun, In Battle, and other peddlers of trigger-happy punishment. However, The Reckoning don’t possess the lethal levels of ruthlessness that their established competitors do….yet.
Counterblast starts strong. The first four proper tracks are impressive displays of heavier/faster/heavier-than-thou DM. “Heap of Wretchedness” packs a neck-cracking intro that sets the stage a for a brief bout of dominance, and “Hellkind” flashes some intelligent sparks of dynamic writing — something that the remainder of the record sadly lacks. Counterblast‘s one-dimensional nature can become taxing, and the band’s over-reliance on overbearing, over-triggered drumming takes it’s toll forcefully. Despite a big fuckin’ handful of solid riffs, the majority of the guitrarwork rarely spices up the monotony (as is the case with Legion of the Damned, the lack of soloing becomes glaring upon repeated listens). Even the acidic vocals, while admirably avoiding the pratfalls of guttural facelessness, can’t divert the album from it’s repetitive course of action.
Certainly, this is one of those “they probably rule live” scenarios, but until the band utilitzes some variety, this nondescript offering can only be recommended to those blessed with the endurance for listening to Zyklon on a regular basis. Worth keeping on your radar, however.
