Dead End Irony – ‘Battles & Brotherhood’

(Inverse Records)

‘Battles & Brotherhood’ by Finland’s Dead End Irony is HEAVY! Their brand of heavy metal owes a lot to the thrash scene of the Eighties; it’s clear bands like Megadeth and Anthrax were on heavy rotation in the DEI songwriters homes growing up. It’s perhaps a tad heavier than I would normally listen to but these guys have enough melodic sensibility to retain my interest.

Everything about these guys is fast, like really fast, except the vocals which is why I hear those comparisons to Eighties thrash metal in their inspirations. They do veer into Power Metal territory akin to bands like Dragonforce, but I stick to that thrash comparison been far more accurate.

I do enjoy Vesa Winberg’s deep booming powerful vocals, strong and melodious when it’s needed to be. The Scandinavians are great at keeping Metal melodious and DEI keep that tradition up. Winberg’s voice also makes the band different to most bands I would say soundalike – as his voice is deeper and smoother rather than the sharp lilt of someone like Dave Mustaine for example.

I don’t tend to go for guitar histrionics but there is no denying the talents of guitarists Simo Jokela and Kristian Valkama with their fast-paced riff’s surely setting a few fretboards on fire.

The most commercial song on the album is ‘Gone’ and for me probably the most accessible song as well as the easiest to enjoy. It also sees the band slow the instrumentation down which may be some of the reason why this song has more impact on me as it’s more melodious. I think the song that will probably get people talking the most is ‘Catch My Soul’ which again sees the instrumentation slowed down (mainly because it’s a ballad). It does have a different feel stylistically too, I felt more of a modern rock vibe to it, perhaps a Creed or Shinedown type of sound. It really did stand out to me it is a really beautiful song which I found captivating.

‘Battles & Brotherhood’ is not a perfect album, it’s OK and I’m sure more hardcore metal fans than me would appreciate this far more than me but it is solid and worth any fan of traditional metals time. I feel there are enough stand out tracks on this one to give fans something to enjoy even if it doesn’t set your world on fire overall.

6/10

Essential Track - 'Gone'

Review by Woody