Neaera - Armamentarium
Released: March 04th, 2008
Label: Metal Blade
Band Website:www.neaera.com

Review by Nathan Dufour

Increasingly I seem to be finding it necessary to keep a dictionary with me. For some reason, if a band does not have an indecipherable logo their other option seems to be choosing a name that requires research to figure out what the hell it is and means. Neaera appears to be, according to dictionary.com, either a mullosk or something to do with Greek mythology. Being that Greek mythology is way tougher than a mullosk and decidedly more metal, I will go with that meaning. With Armamentarium, Neaera have stocked their weapon shelves well, pointing all of them right between the eyes, cocked and ready to sound amazingly German and yet not like Destruction. This is one interesting ride.

Before I knew that the band was German I could not quite put my finger on whose style they brought to mind and then it hit me: Neaera plays close to the metalcore stylings of Heaven Shall Burn. Unlike Heaven Shall Burn, though, Neaera filters their 'core through Swedish death metal and the resulting album is really quite unique. There is still an astounding amount of riff happening, but there is also the added spice of blastbeats and slower passages that never really break down for a breakdown. Each song on the album carries its own identity and has character, not just posture which is all too prevalent these days. Of the bands and labels still flying the flag of true metal (or is that tr00 metal?), Metal Blade leads the pack. If Neaera continues to progress they will be unstopable, and I am looking very forward to that obliteration. You should be too. This band deserves attention.

Visit Neaera's official website: www.neaera.com