Curse & Chapter
(Nuclear Blast Records)
59:49min
Two years ago, when "Human Remains" was coming out, one smart guy said that "the album the devil was dreaming about has been finally recorded". So the question is – will the devil be proud again? The answer is: yes. "Curse & Chapter" surely won’t generate so many discussions and emotions like the previous album, as the truth is this time we all knew what to expect, while "Human Remains" was a big surprise, and something new, fresh, and maybe even a little bit shocking, as with no doubt the history of HELL doesn’t belong to normal ones. Let’s be honest: the previous album set the bar really high. But "Curse & Chapter" smoothly continue what we know from "Human Remains", it’s really hard to point any big differences. And that’s very good, because look – on the previous album, all 11 songs, we knew them from the original HELL demos from the ’80s, right? And on the new album we have both old compositions (like ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ or ‘Land Of The Living Dead’) or the mighty ‘Deathsquad’ from HELL’s legendary single from 1983, and also new songs. It means that the current HELL line-up – this one which worked on those new songs – was able to catch the spirit and character of this genuine and unique act in 100% (or actually, in 666%). So all those who were saying it’s not real HELL, can probably shut up for good now. Of course HELL is not making those albums to prove anything to anyone: the main driving force behind this band is their love and passion for real art, and for real good music, and we can hear it during every single second of "Curse & Chapter". It will sound trivially, but David Halliday is probably smiling somewhere out there, as his legacy lives on, and is continued in a glorious way. Good job! Visit the band at www.facebook.com/hellofficial
Bart Gabriel