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Tribune: Elder Lore The Dark Arts

Hybrid Modern Heavy Metal

3.5/5.0

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Corpse Corrosion Music
by Craig Hartranft,  03.05.2012

Typical of modern scene, British Columbia's Tribune mixes a variety of styles to make their metal on their second full-length release, Elder Lore The Dark Arts. The foundation seems a mixture of classic heavy metal with parts thrash and doom. But they're also bits of melodic death metal and hardcore. Does this make them progressive metal band? Only as much as Mastodon could be considered one.

Above, Tribune: with matching shoes.

Fundamentally, the best thing about Elder Lore The Dark Arts is the music. While the mixture may seem eclectic and confusing, thanks to that aforementioned traditional foundation and some nice fret work, this album is an interesting listen. Sometimes you don't know what you're going get, like the death/doom/thrash of It Came from the Swamp or the groovy tones within Below. But it can be clever and appealing most times, as the fine tune, We the Black, proves.

Conversely, this mixture may make some wonder if Tribune has any sense of direction, especially when they can't seem to settle on what vocals to use. There's clean with doses of death growls and shrieks rambling about. (Mostly it sounds like there are two guys barfing behind the Marshalls.) Then the album seems to have two titles. Which is it Elder Lore or The Dark Arts? It's both. Okay, then.

Regardless, considering the monotony of the current modern metal scene (read: harsh hardcore infestation), it's nice to hear some smidgen of perplexing ingenuity from Tribune. Elder Lore The Dark Arts is one album to check out.

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Considering the monotony of the current modern metal scene, it's nice to hear some smidgen of perplexing ingenuity from Tribune and their latest, Elder Lore The Dark Arts.

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