Angel Dust Of Human Bondage
By
David Lee Wilson,
Contributor
Wednesday, May 8, 2002 @ 10:47 PM
| (Century Media)
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YES, YES, YES! This is what the Metal scene so desperately needs, a group who has a firm hold on the classic structure of Metal but isn’t locked in a time that is never to return.
With a single listen to Of Human Bondage, it is easy to hear nine exceptional tracks and one “classic,” but like any record worth histories remembrance, each successive play increases the number in the grander category. This disc is likely to be everything to the discriminating Metal ear that Ride The Lightening, Powerslave and Operation Mindcrime were, only here there will be no videos or radio play to carry it along. I say hurrah for that, it is more likely now that Angel Dust will be kept unspoiled by corporate intrusions.
What power there is in these lasered grooves -- the guitarist for instance, my god is he good. When Ritchie Wilkison spits out a chord, it stabs and stays until Wilkson himself withdraws it. “Unreal Soul” is a golden example of his ability as is it one of the best-crafted songs to yet be released by Angel Dust or anyone else for that matter.
“Forever” is another sacred gem though this time it is the duel attack of Wilkison and keyboardist Steven Banx that carries the number.
The Seal track, “Killer,” is covered here and were it not for the heads up of the liner notes, I would have thought that it was another original. Astoundingly fierce, but not rabid making this a killer with class. Every track has this quality in fact.
A special accolade should be reserved for the production mastery of Siggi Bemm, another record this tight would be hard to find, and he is a large part as to why.
Vocalist Dirk Thurisch is simply a phenomenal talent and would be a prime target for any group looking to pilfer a new vocalist. One can only hope that such a thing never happens, because what this group has is so incredibly special nothing should ever be allowed to compromise it.
*****
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