Barren Earth- Curse of the Red River

Artist: Barren Earth

CD Title: Curse of the Red River

Label: Peaceville

Reviewer: Peter Cooper

Date: 4-19-10

Barren Earth's debut LP Curse of the Red River is such a nice mix and eclectic offering of death, progressive, doom, power,stoner and psychedelic metal. I hear elements of Dream Theater, Cannibal Corpse, Atomic Rooster, Candlemass, Electric Wizard and Kyuss to name a few. It takes a real maturity and seasoned professionalism to produce such a diverse, yet cohesive album. The title track and to more of a degree "The Ritual of Dawn" really exhibits this quality. Another very strong track is "Cold Earth Chamber" which harks to neoclassicism with more than a smattering of power and prog. The strongest elements of the sound in my opinion is the twin guitar work of Sami and Janne along with the keyboard work of Kasper. However, the vocal diversity exhibited by Mikko and the rhythm section of Marko and Olli-PekkaLaine strongly supports the strong melodic and musical landscape supplied by the keyboards and guitars. This should be a part of any metal fan's catalogue.

4.5/5

Pete Cooper www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Cooper-Band/103553261084