Conducting From the Grave: Review

Conducting From the Grave - Revenants

Grade: 4.0 - Another staple in Sumerian's superb stable of bands
Label: Sumerian Records

Genre: Melodic Death Metal / Metalcore
Release Date: October 26, 2010
Site(s): http://www.myspace.com/conductingfromthegrave

High Points: Excellent vocals and the final two-part track.
Low Point: Realizing they're not on tour in Canada.

I first came across Conducting From the Grave when they released their debut album (When Legends Become Dust) through Sumerian Records back in 2009 and needless to say they piqued my interest.

Conducting From the Grave weave elements of melodic death metal, thrash and hardcore together to create, not necessarily a unique metal experience, but rather and most importantly, an enjoyable one. The vocals of Mikey Powell in particular are excellent and flow seamlessly with both the hard charging nature of their tracks, but also with the excellent melodic sections.

The final tracks of the album, What Monsters We Have Become Part 1 & 2 do the greatest justice to this, blending both main elements of their style with a skill that befits them. The breakdown featured in Part 1 and the guitar solo in Part 2 are most definitely, fused together, the highest point of the album, providing a great send off to their sophomore album.

Sumerian is probably my favorite record label at this specific moment in time. Their list of signed bands counts some of the best bands of their respective genres, including names such as: Born of Osiris, Periphery, Veil of Maya, After the Burial and The Faceless. Conducting From the Grave, has now deservedly earned themselves a place amongst them, proving once again just how huge the depth of talent extends into Sumerian's roster.

Conducting From the Grave are on tour in the US, until December, in support of Arsis, alongside another excellent band in Powerglove.

If you're a fan of Sumerian's signed artists, you should do yourself a favor and check them out, post haste. And even if you aren't, you shan't be disappointed.

- J