GODMODE

"GodMode" is the debut full-length studio album by Austrian black metal act Eschaton. The album was originally self-released in July 2004 and distributed on Pro-CDr by Ashen Productions (from November 2005). Eschaton were formed in 1998 under the Dominus Satanas monicker, and released a couple of demos under that name before changing their name to Eschaton in 2002.

The above information may sound like "GodMode" is nothing more than a cheap demo recording, that the band chose to release as an album by themselves because no label would touch it...but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact "GodMode" features a professional, powerful, and well sounding production, which could well put a lot of other album productions to shame. Eschaton are a very well playing act too, and lead vocalist/guitarist L.X. Sethnacht possesses a fierce blackened snarl, which he delivers with both passion and conviction.

Stylistically the material on the 6 track, 30:24 minutes long album is black/death metal with some progressive leanings. While the vocals and some of the tremolo picking and blasting parts are clearly black metal traits, I think there are several more riff oriented death metal moments in the music too, and a couple of more adventurous progressive sections also pop up from time to time. The snare drum sound is rather distinct and also gives associations to grindcore. The material is generally well written, intriguing, and effective, but it´s not an album where I remember all tracks, when it is finished playing, and that is of course a minor issue, but definitely not a huge one in this case.

Considering "GodMode" is more or less a self-released debut album, the quality of the material is quite impressive and add to that high level musicianship, and a well sounding production, and the album does come off as a quality product and a 3.5 star (70%) rating might even be a little too low.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)