Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Holy Grail Ride The Void Company: Nuclear Blast Release: 2013 Genre: Power thrash Reviewer: EC

Tons of rapid fire riffs

Three years removed from the scorching debut "Crisis In Utopia" the Pasadena youths are back at the front door. Same label and same intensity and fire as before, this time a little more framed in and less chaotic through the speed sections. The group has a new guitarist this time in Alex Lee, formerly of Bonded By Blood and 2013 shows a "veteran band" fresh off worldwide runs with Hellyeah, Cauldron, Valient Thorr, Blind Guardian and Toxic Holocaust.

"Ride The Void" runs rampant with tons of rapid fire riffs and Luna's mid to high register. The debut had more speed and falsetto where this sophomore release shores up the middle and low end with more beefy grooves and a constant barrage of double bass. Songs like the strong opener "Bestia Triumphans" show off some new aggressive elements; groove based riffs over growling vocals and chunky groove. I've read where fans were upset that this is metalcore but I strongly disagree. The tendency to mosh is there but plenty of speed and finesse in the traditional aspect is very much alive on this new album. It's a good mix of tradition and modern capability.

Faster cuts like "Dark Passenger", "Crosswinds" and Bleeding Stone" are built from the same engine as the debut, galloping riffs and classical solos. I swear the band sounds like Fozzy often enough, a dead ringer on mid-paced "Too Decayed To Wait" (slight hard rock) and "Silence The Scream". "Rains Of Sorrow" divorces the Holy Grail sound, a more modern rock song with the afore mentioned growls. It may turn off some older fans (this is only a sophomore!) but definitely shows the band aren't opposed to progression.