Review by JD on November 18, 2008.

Against what the band’s name really means, Cessation Of Life is a celebration of Metal life and gives you a kicking ass on a grand scale. The huge earthquake that had hit San Francisco way back, was nothing more than a child stamping it’s feet while in full tantrum mode compared to this band. This one shakes the very core of Metal... and wakes the masses.

This Camarillo, CA band comes out of the blocks with both guns blazing away like a wall of automatic weapon fire. They sound like a progressive thrash act, off setting that with shades of styles such like Grave Digger and alike. Massively pleasing guitars dually attack your mind while earth-quaking bass and the bestbest drummers I have come across in awhile assault you and hits a 10. COL plainly delivers tasty metal shots, while assaulting you with a completely in your face attitude that breeds the need to be heard.

With such amazing tracks like ‘Necropolis’, ‘Murder In The Pit’ along with the very haunting and disturbing instrumental ‘Admitting’... they show both a complexity that is refreshing while keeping the bombastic nature and delivers it with a massive punch. What COL gives to the world, is a refreshing twist to strong and yet amazing music. The have made a big fan out of me.

Forget needing CPR if your metal heart seems to have suddenly stoped beating for some reason. The treatment is clear... put this album on at the highest volume your stereo can handle and it will jump start your heart every time. They have had three other studio albums out there, but I have to say, those are nothing as amazing as this opus is. Cessation Of Life is a starting point for real Metal.


Categorical Rating Breakdown


Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.4 out of 10