Review by criscool623 on January 2, 2024.

After giving this album its necessary listenings, it's time to talk about my latest deception so far.

Oh, Havok. I still remember when I discovered them with that good "Time Is Up" album. It was aggressive, well performed and the vocals were completely insane. I considered myself as a Havok fan since that moment, and when Conformcide was about to be released, I was excited to listen to it, but we all know the result: an unnecessarily complex and pretentious technical thrash attempt with very few interesting things and longer than it should be.

When the single Phantom Force was released, I was really eager to listen to and talk about this album. I thought that Havok had recovered that strength lost in Conformicide, but when the album was released, my illusions turned into a great disappointment and frustration.

The topic that everyone is talking about on "V" is the plagiarism of songs, and I won't deny it, it's one of the worst problems of the album. Although the "Post-Truth Era" introduction is one of the most notorious and obvious plagiarism, I still consider it as a kind of homage. Which is unforgivable is the total rip off of "Hit the Lights" in the song "Fear Campaign". It's the most obvious and shameless plagiarism of the album, and it's just insulting for the listener. This is one of the worst mistakes in this album, but not the only one.

"V" is plagued by songs that are SIMPLY BORING. From "Betrayed by Technology" to "Interface with the Infinite", the album is insufferable owing not only to the songs' slowness but also to the fact that those songs are devoid of interesting ideas to the listener. There's an attempt of experimenting with different forms to perform their instruments, but it just makes the album feel longer than it should be. "Panpsychism" and "Don't Do It" have the same problem (at least the latter one has a decent ending showing a little of aggressiveness, but it doesn't worth listening to the first 5 minutes of the song for a little good thing). It's just weird for a thrash metal band. It feels pretentious and it shows the little idea that the band has on what they are doing.

On the other hand, there are few good songs that you could extract from the album. Despite the introduction of the song, "Post-Truth Era" is actually a decent song and a good introduction to an album that could have been better. "Phantom Force" and "Cosmetic Surgery" are the best songs from the album as they are brutal and pretty competent. "Merchants of Death" is moderately decent; it can be listened, but don't wait for a marvel.

The album is so bad that it doesn't even deserve a better review than the one I'm writing. It's boring, devoid of interesting ideas and not worthy to listen to. Listen to the songs I already highlighted and run away from here. Don't dedicate more time than the one this album deserves.

Rating: 3.9 out of 10

Review by criscool623 on January 2, 2024.

After giving this album its necessary listenings, it's time to talk about my latest deception so far.

Oh, Havok. I still remember when I discovered them with that good "Time Is Up" album. It was aggressive, well performed and the vocals were completely insane. I considered myself as a Havok fan since that moment, and when Conformcide was about to be released, I was excited to listen to it, but we all know the result: an unnecessarily complex and pretentious technical thrash attempt with very few interesting things and longer than it should be.

When the single Phantom Force was released, I was really eager to listen to and talk about this album. I thought that Havok had recovered that strength lost in Conformicide, but when the album was released, my illusions turned into a great disappointment and frustration.

The topic that everyone is talking about on "V" is the plagiarism of songs, and I won't deny it, it's one of the worst problems of the album. Although the "Post-Truth Era" introduction is one of the most notorious and obvious plagiarism, I still consider it as a kind of homage. Which is unforgivable is the total rip off of "Hit the Lights" in the song "Fear Campaign". It's the most obvious and shameless plagiarism of the album, and it's just insulting for the listener. This is one of the worst mistakes in this album, but not the only one.

"V" is plagued by songs that are SIMPLY BORING. From "Betrayed by Technology" to "Interface with the Infinite", the album is insufferable owing not only to the songs' slowness but also to the fact that those songs are devoid of interesting ideas to the listener. There's an attempt of experimenting with different forms to perform their instruments, but it just makes the album feel longer than it should be. "Panpsychism" and "Don't Do It" have the same problem (at least the latter one has a decent ending showing a little of aggressiveness, but it doesn't worth listening to the first 5 minutes of the song for a little good thing). It's just weird for a thrash metal band. It feels pretentious and it shows the little idea that the band has on what they are doing.

On the other hand, there are few good songs that you could extract from the album. Despite the introduction of the song, "Post-Truth Era" is actually a decent song and a good introduction to an album that could have been better. "Phantom Force" and "Cosmetic Surgery" are the best songs from the album as they are brutal and pretty competent. "Merchants of Death" is moderately decent; it can be listened, but don't wait for a marvel.

The album is so bad that it doesn't even deserve a better review than the one I'm writing. It's boring, devoid of interesting ideas and not worthy to listen to. Listen to the songs I already highlighted and run away from here. Don't dedicate more time than the one this album deserves.

Rating: 3.9 out of 10

Review by criscool623 on January 2, 2024.

After giving this album its necessary listenings, it's time to talk about my latest deception so far.

Oh, Havok. I still remember when I discovered them with that good "Time Is Up" album. It was aggressive, well performed and the vocals were completely insane. I considered myself as a Havok fan since that moment, and when Conformcide was about to be released, I was excited to listen to it, but we all know the result: an unnecessarily complex and pretentious technical thrash attempt with very few interesting things and longer than it should be.

When the single Phantom Force was released, I was really eager to listen to and talk about this album. I thought that Havok had recovered that strength lost in Conformicide, but when the album was released, my illusions turned into a great disappointment and frustration.

The topic that everyone is talking about on "V" is the plagiarism of songs, and I won't deny it, it's one of the worst problems of the album. Although the "Post-Truth Era" introduction is one of the most notorious and obvious plagiarism, I still consider it as a kind of homage. Which is unforgivable is the total rip off of "Hit the Lights" in the song "Fear Campaign". It's the most obvious and shameless plagiarism of the album, and it's just insulting for the listener. This is one of the worst mistakes in this album, but not the only one.

"V" is plagued by songs that are SIMPLY BORING. From "Betrayed by Technology" to "Interface with the Infinite", the album is insufferable owing not only to the songs' slowness but also to the fact that those songs are devoid of interesting ideas to the listener. There's an attempt of experimenting with different forms to perform their instruments, but it just makes the album feel longer than it should be. "Panpsychism" and "Don't Do It" have the same problem (at least the latter one has a decent ending showing a little of aggressiveness, but it doesn't worth listening to the first 5 minutes of the song for a little good thing). It's just weird for a thrash metal band. It feels pretentious and it shows the little idea that the band has on what they are doing.

On the other hand, there are few good songs that you could extract from the album. Despite the introduction of the song, "Post-Truth Era" is actually a decent song and a good introduction to an album that could have been better. "Phantom Force" and "Cosmetic Surgery" are the best songs from the album as they are brutal and pretty competent. "Merchants of Death" is moderately decent; it can be listened, but don't wait for a marvel.

The album is so bad that it doesn't even deserve a better review than the one I'm writing. It's boring, devoid of interesting ideas and not worthy to listen to. Listen to the songs I already highlighted and run away from here. Don't dedicate more time than the one this album deserves.

Rating: 3.9 out of 10

Review by Adam M on September 6, 2017.

Royal Thunder still brings the traditional stoner/doom approach, but there music is more mainstream focused now. The songs on WICK are the band’s most accessible yet and go a long way to cementing their current sound with the audience. The guitar riffs are still meaty enough even though they carry along the more easy to digest approach. This is music for people that like the psychedelic vibe in their music and it’s a sound that’s unique enough.

The album gets off to a strong start with Burning Tree, one of the more memorable tracks to be found here and continues along a strong path with April Showers, which is an absolute barnburner. It must be mentioned that vocalist Mlny Parsonz does an incredible job on this release too. Her distinctive singing carries these tracks even when they seem to drag a bit. It’s the successful combination between her and the guitar riffs that makes this outfit such a wonder to behold in its cohesive entirety. The songs here are certainly catchy and this is an advantage they have over a straight doom band. There is more of an accessible flair to the tracks that makes one want to replay them in the mind and that is an element I find lacking in many doom releases. It must be said that the album doesn’t really open any doors and those that find Crooked Doors to be the band’s best release may just maintain this position. Despite the inability to move in new directions, the band really makes sure that you know that their formula is fully functioning.

This is one of the most vibrant and passionate albums released so far in 2017 despite the lack of originality. Although the album doesn’t really progress greatly from the last release, it perfects the style that the band is going for. Fans of doom and stoner will find much to enjoy here.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on September 6, 2017.

Royal Thunder still brings the traditional stoner/doom approach, but there music is more mainstream focused now. The songs on WICK are the band’s most accessible yet and go a long way to cementing their current sound with the audience. The guitar riffs are still meaty enough even though they carry along the more easy to digest approach. This is music for people that like the psychedelic vibe in their music and it’s a sound that’s unique enough.

The album gets off to a strong start with Burning Tree, one of the more memorable tracks to be found here and continues along a strong path with April Showers, which is an absolute barnburner. It must be mentioned that vocalist Mlny Parsonz does an incredible job on this release too. Her distinctive singing carries these tracks even when they seem to drag a bit. It’s the successful combination between her and the guitar riffs that makes this outfit such a wonder to behold in its cohesive entirety. The songs here are certainly catchy and this is an advantage they have over a straight doom band. There is more of an accessible flair to the tracks that makes one want to replay them in the mind and that is an element I find lacking in many doom releases. It must be said that the album doesn’t really open any doors and those that find Crooked Doors to be the band’s best release may just maintain this position. Despite the inability to move in new directions, the band really makes sure that you know that their formula is fully functioning.

This is one of the most vibrant and passionate albums released so far in 2017 despite the lack of originality. Although the album doesn’t really progress greatly from the last release, it perfects the style that the band is going for. Fans of doom and stoner will find much to enjoy here.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on September 6, 2017.

Royal Thunder still brings the traditional stoner/doom approach, but there music is more mainstream focused now. The songs on WICK are the band’s most accessible yet and go a long way to cementing their current sound with the audience. The guitar riffs are still meaty enough even though they carry along the more easy to digest approach. This is music for people that like the psychedelic vibe in their music and it’s a sound that’s unique enough.

The album gets off to a strong start with Burning Tree, one of the more memorable tracks to be found here and continues along a strong path with April Showers, which is an absolute barnburner. It must be mentioned that vocalist Mlny Parsonz does an incredible job on this release too. Her distinctive singing carries these tracks even when they seem to drag a bit. It’s the successful combination between her and the guitar riffs that makes this outfit such a wonder to behold in its cohesive entirety. The songs here are certainly catchy and this is an advantage they have over a straight doom band. There is more of an accessible flair to the tracks that makes one want to replay them in the mind and that is an element I find lacking in many doom releases. It must be said that the album doesn’t really open any doors and those that find Crooked Doors to be the band’s best release may just maintain this position. Despite the inability to move in new directions, the band really makes sure that you know that their formula is fully functioning.

This is one of the most vibrant and passionate albums released so far in 2017 despite the lack of originality. Although the album doesn’t really progress greatly from the last release, it perfects the style that the band is going for. Fans of doom and stoner will find much to enjoy here.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10