Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Upwards of Endtime - Upwards of Endtime - 2005 - Swayingball Music

Track Listing1. Conquerors 2. Phantom Limbs 3. Battlefield 4. Hellnight 5. I Am Legend 6. Stairwell To Hell 7. Jerhume Bunnen 8. Dead To Me 9. Wish It All Away 10. Upwards of Endtime

Upwards of Endtime is a traditional metal band from Connecticut. When I say traditional, I mean it – nothing they are doing musically dates past, say, 1983. It’s pretty obvious that bands like Black Sabbath, Motorhead, and the like are where Upwards of Endtime directly derives their sound from. Their self-titled album really doesn’t give the listener anything that one of the aforementioned bands wouldn’t. With that said, however, Upwards of Endtime is still relatively enjoyable to listen to. They just aren’t breaking down any barriers.

Although the band consisted of more members at the time of recording, they are now down to a foursome. Although no instrument stands out as particularly exceptional, the guitars are creative, the bass solid, and the drums in time. The vocalist sounds like a younger Ozzy with a slightly deeper, less whiny voice. Not every song contains a solo, but the ones that do, such as “Jerhume Brunnen ,” are interesting but not spectacular.

Upwards of Endtime seem like the kind of band that would be enjoyable to see play live at the local bar, but not somebody you’d want to buy an album from. As you may have noticed, there aren’t a whole lot of negative things I can say about the band. At the same time, however, there aren’t a whole lot of pluses either. I’ll give them credit for putting together a steady album that flows and works, but not a whole lot more. The bottom line: more or less average.

5/10

--Veritas 04.06.06