Called To Arms - Peril And The Patient

Artist: Called To Arms
Album: Peril And The Patient
Release Date: 8/10/10
Label: Tragic Hero Records

What happens when you mix a story from one of the greatest authors of all time with progressive metal? The answer is the new album from progressive metal act Called To Arms titled Peril And The Patient, which is based on C.S. Lewis' classic story, The Screwtape Letters. What we have here is an album full of brutal growls and screams that are slightly reminiscent of Zao, mixed with soaring solos that show much skill, epic if you will. Throw in the inspiration from The Screwtape Letters and you have a very rounded off, nearly perfect metal album.

"Patient's Prognosis" starts off the album with Southern metal-influenced riffs leading into vocalist Daniel Grissom's brutallic growls. The next track, "Safest Road To Hell," contains one of the best solos I have possibly ever heard, but is only one example of the expertise guitar work found on Peril And The Patient. The lyrics are very haunting, as they are letters between demons, which is the premise of The Screwtape Letters. Creating a haunting atmosphere on the album is "Ashamed, Awake" which is filled with mainly clean vocals, but a few screams are thrown in towards the finish of the track. The song is somewhat chilling, talking of the feeling of new life found in God. The song's eerie sound certainly sets the right tone for the full effect of the message.

Something that is very unique about Called To Arms is the fact that they take into much care their musicianship. It really shines through on Peril And The Patient, as the drumming is quick and pulsating and the guitars really make a big impact especially, showcased on the solos that show much expertise. Called To Arms may be one of the best progressive metal bands out there today, and that is no understatement.

Rating: 9/10 Called To Arms have delivered quite nicely with their newest album, inspired by The Screwtape Letters, Peril And The Patient. Their progressive metal styling shows much expertise, both musically and vocally, blending together brutal screams and growls with quick paced instrumentation, building up to memorable, soaring solos. This is an album that nearly any metal fan could find nearly perfect, offering such an array of sounds, from Southern-influenced guitars at points to the classic rock sounding solos. Called To Arms have shown to be one of the best progressive metal bands out there today.

Tracklisting:

1. Patient's Prognosis
2. Safest Road To Hell
3. Pleasure In The Trough
4. Dead Fire In A Cold Room
5. Let Sleeping Worms Lie
6. Vintage Pharisee
7. A Hedonist At Heart
8. Our Realism, Our Rejection
9. Ashamed, Awake
10. Dismembered And Devoured

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