Review: Chromium – Confessions of a Hero

Sergio reviews Chromium’s excellent new release.

Artist Name: Chromium
Album Name: Confessions of a Hero
Year: 2009
Genre: Metal

Since their debut album, Intro Spectre, the South African metal powerhouse, known as Chromium, has ploughed and demolished all other competitors (and posers) to become the giant of the local metal scene. So as you can imagine, when news broke of their second album being released – Confessions of a Hero – metalheads united, rejoiced and danced a little alcohol-inspired dance around their lounges.

If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, you’re probably still wondering if it is anywhere as good as Intro Spectre. Luckily, I have the answer for you…duh, it is my job after all!

Simply put, Confessions of a Hero is the evolution of Chromium. The songs are faster, edgier and more brutal than before – leaving no doubt, if there was any, that their main influences are metalcore and thrash legends, such as Killswitch Engage and Megadeth.

The opening track, ‘It Begins Here’, immediately sets the tone for the album with a merciless sonic attack that can only be described as colossal. The fiery passion of vocalists, Jared Gunston and Matthew Engelbrecht, is there to be heard and revered. Gunston churns out sweet melodies that would make Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage) blush, while Engelbrecht bellows like the bastard lovechild of Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquility) and Dez Farfara (Devil Driver).

The eclectic time signatures, which have become a trademark of the band, are still present and appreciated – especially by me. Not many bands embrace the mathematical side of music, yet these guys knowingly (or unknowingly) excel in it, making them exceptionally rare in an era where musicians stick to generic conventions.

One of the main criticisms that I had of their first album was that the lyrics were often repetitive. Thankfully this time around, it isn’t as apparent and a wider range of topics are discussed – although I do believe that they could improve their lyrics even further.

Overall, Confessions of a Hero is of international standard. It’s the kind of album that any current metal band would be proud of. With their impending European Tour next year, Chromium will also give the world a soundbyte of their melodic metal that proves that heaviness and melody can co-exist harmoniously.

Best Tracks: ‘It Begins Here’, ‘Finding My Own Escape’, ‘All I Have’ and ‘World of Lies’

82/100

- Sergio Pereira
sergio@musicreview.co.za
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