II

"II" is the 2nd full-length studio album by UK symphonic extreme metal act Xerath. The album was released through Candlelight Records in April 2011. It´s the successor to "I" from 2009 and features one lineup change since the predecessor as guitarist Andy Phillips has left. He hasn´t been replaced one to one, but instead Christopher Clark has been added as the band´s new bassist. Guitarist Owain Williams who performed both guitars and bass on the debut album now handles all guitars (and no bass).

Stylistically the material on "II" continue the symphonic extreme metal style of the debut album and it´s still artists like Meshuggah and Strapping Young Lad who come to mind, but with an added orchestral symphonic element (created with synths/keyboards). The basis of the music is brick heavy, featuring sharp and groove oriented riffs and rhythms. The vocals are predominantly high pitched aggressive screaming, but the album also features both deeper growling vocals and a few clean vocal parts. That part of the music is well composed and well performed, but it´s not the most unique sound that Xerath produce. When they add the orchestral symphonic element, which often sounds like something out of an epic movie score, a more original sound is forged. It´s a layered and busy soundscape but Xerath pull if off pretty well (also helped along by a powerful and detailed sound production, which suits the material well).

"II" is upon conclusion a good quality sophomore album by Xerath. The skills, the compositions, and the sound production are all on a high level, and fans of heavily orchestrated and layered extreme metal are recommended to take a listen. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)