{"id":2652,"date":"2019-12-22T12:46:38","date_gmt":"2019-12-22T12:46:38","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2020-11-21T20:47:18","modified_gmt":"2020-11-21T20:47:18","slug":"a-hill-to-die-upon-infinite-titanic-immortal-limited-run-vinyl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2019\/12\/22\/a-hill-to-die-upon-infinite-titanic-immortal-limited-run-vinyl\/","title":{"rendered":"A HILL TO DIE UPON: Infinite Titanic Immortal (Limited Run Vinyl)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

As the <\/strong>Limited Run Vinyl<\/a> series continues to expand (almost near weekly at this point), we are striving to keep up with these audiophile quality releases in real time, and in doing so keep prospective buyers informed of the quality and content of each album. In the process, each release is placed within the context of the music scene at the time of its original release, and when appropriate or relevant (and sometimes just for fun), the reviewers (Jeff McCormack and myself so far) have shared the impact the music had on us personally. Furthermore, while each review stands alone, the sum of them serves as a chronological history of the series. This way we can also keep you informed of changes and adjustments to both the quality and the content of the product as time rolls onward.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As many have surmised by now, the LRV series is quite diverse, combining older releases like Bride \u2013 Silence Is Madness<\/span><\/a> and the self-titled Angelica<\/a>, with newer releases like Antestor \u2013 Omen<\/span><\/a> and Ritual Servant \u2013 Metallum Evangelii<\/span><\/a>. In addition to the span of years featured, the musical offerings range from AOR\/melodic rock to power\/progressive metal to extreme metal. As to the extreme metal offerings, Infinite Titanic Immortal<\/span> is now the third release in the series from Bombworks Records<\/a> (behind the previously mentioned Antestor and the crushing Crimson Thorn \u2013 Unearthed<\/span><\/a>) \u2026 and what a brutal work of art for the ears!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The music of A Hill To Die Upon (essentially the Cook brothers) has often been labeled a cross between black and death metal, akin to Behemoth. This certainly was the style on their debut album, originally released in 2009 on Bombworks Records, but they did move in slightly more progressive directions on subsequent releases. In celebration of the album\u2019s 10th anniversary, the songs have been mastered for vinyl (first time) by Rob Colwell and released as part of the Limited Run Vinyl series. Not surprisingly, the sound is massive on this format! Unlike some of the other releases in this series, this one has not been released along side of a new CD version, largely because limited copies of the original CD digi remain available HERE<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A \u201cList\u201d To Die Upon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to put the magnitude of this release in perspective, step back in time a decade. This album was so impactful to the scene (2009) because death metal and black metal were becoming so one-dimensional \u2013 every song sounding the same with little innovation and some not-so-good sounding recordings. At the time of its release I was working as our managing editor and we had just begun the process of compiling a list of albums to populate the Top 100 \u201call-time\u201d list. I specifically remember editor Doug Van Pelt telling everyone that we need to consider the whole spectrum of releases, old and new, because it was obviously easier to focus on albums from the era when Christian metal was flourishing (1985 \u2013 2000). Also, one of the criteria for consideration on the list was \u201cimpact to the scene.\u201d So on the one hand we were working within the confines of \u201cimpact\u201d and \u201cclassic\u201d status and such, and on the other we were being pressed to consider recent (at the time) releases \u2013 basically \u201cforecasting\u201d which of the newer music would be huge or \u201ctimeless.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can imagine, trying to get a bunch of metalheads to come to a consensus on anything is about near impossible \u2026 but a top 100 list? Essentially, I was tasked with constructing the miraculous! But here is the point of all this discussion \u2013 I don\u2019t recall a single measure of difficulty getting Infinite Titanic Immortal<\/span> on the list despite the album\u2019s \u201cnewness.\u201d Yeah, a few of the guys didn\u2019t like extreme metal of any kind, but for those of us who listened to this album, there was that \u201cwow\u201d factor. All that to say, it ended up #79 on the Heaven\u2019s Metal Top 100 Christian Metal Albums Of All Time <\/span><\/span><\/a>\u2026 and the rest is history! What we didn\u2019t know at that time, of course, was how well these tunes would hold up over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2010 (when the list was compiled and originally published) Heaven\u2019s Metal<\/span> writer\/contributor Loyd Harp<\/span> had this to say \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMemorable riffs, brutal structures, mesmerizing melodies \u2013 all of this and more cause my finger to go to the repeat button!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

And for this joyous occasion, I even dug up some of my own original impressions –<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReplete with a healthy imagination and tons of literary influence, Adam and Michael Cook have crafted a very impressive death metal album filled with thundering blast beats, heavy guitars and guttural, yet highly discernable growls (a cross of BTA\u2019s Jasun Wisdom and Dark Tranquillity\u2019s Mikael Stanne). While most narrative type concept albums tend to bog down with storytelling (interludes, spoken parts, etc.) that doesn\u2019t really happen here. Each of the songs stand up well alone, which is largely a testament to the strong songwriting and skillful playing.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Although Adam and Michael Cook are Christian artists, AHTDU didn\u2019t fit the mold, which they have stated was purposeful. They are Christians making great art \u2013 emphasis on \u201cgreat.\u201d Instead of trying to be original, innovative or cutting-edge, the brothers focus has been excellence in execution of the style of music they enjoy and are most gifted to create. AHTDU came out of a hardcore\/deathcore background but switched to death\/black metal for this reason. To me, this is ironic, because what makes Infinite Titanic Immortal<\/span> so great is that it does NOT stick to the formulas of the genre. When we heard these songs in 2009 and 2010 they stood out from the crowd \u2013 there was and remains a distinct identity to the sound these guys created. And while no band wants to hear this, this remains my favorite release of theirs to date. Were we justified in putting this on the top 100 list? I think so as these songs sound vital 10 years later, especially on the vinyl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

So \u2026 what about the music anyway?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Words can\u2019t adequately describe the complexity, speed and power. There are elements of melodic death metal (I\u2019ve already alluded to Dark Tranquillity) yet there is a harshness and intensity which \u201cblackens\u201d the mix. The dynamics play a huge part. In many ways, the opening instrumental track is like a foreshadowing of what\u2019s to come, but on a small scale. The ensuing sounds wind and twist around the auditory canals with an enveloping mixture of melodic and frenetic guitar lines, precision-tight tom and bass drum driven rhythms amidst lethal vocal lashings. In war-like fashion there is an ebb and flow of action, yet the verbal outpourings\/exhortations and machine-gun percussive fusillades are relentless. Adam Cook\u2019s voice is a weapon, especially when spewing forth Latin phrases like \u201cCarmen ex ignis\/Cantus ex metus\u201d or my favorite, \u201cHeka secundas!\u201d There are no weaknesses musically. From \u201cfire\u201d to \u201crime\u201d this album is a fantastic journey \u2013 one which will leave you simultaneously inspired and exhausted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n