FREYA “As The Last Light Drains”
It took me no more than about 30 seconds to start digging this disc. With a burly, chugga-chugga intro that left my stereo speakers quaking, FREYA immediately clued in to the listener that this remnant band of the legendary EARTH CRISIS had not forgotten how to play hardcore music. FREYA leave off almost exactly where EARTH CRISIS ended with “Slither,” featuring mostly groove-laden music with huge guitar crunches and forceful vocals. However, what sets these guys in their new, unique direction is the use of a second vocalist to compliment the screams of Karl Buechner. Darian Lizotte, in addition to handling a guitar contributes a snappy melodic edge to FREYA’s vocals, and at times, his crooning is similar to GLASSJAW’s Darryl Palumbo. “As The Last Light Drains” has the uncanny ability to take an uplifting spirit, yet revel in cold, stiff strokes. The constantly crashing guitars and thunderous drumming is relentless in all of FREYA’s 33 minutes of glory, and for both the casual listerner of hardcore, and the pit-decorated warrior, there’s much energy and impetus to exeperience. For those looking for the return of EARTH CRISIS, this will surely not produce salvation, as none of the political and environmental subject matter is present, but hopefully, those with open minds and open hearts will take hold to FREYA’s striking offering.
Victory
