Album Review: Timōrātus – My Life In A Made Metal Band (Self Released/Mythic Panda Productions)

Two long years ago Louisville, Kentucky’s Timōrātus brought you My Life In A Mediocre Metal Band, the tale of a struggling young band, fighting against the odds to make their way in the world. Now their epic journey continues as they hit the pinnacles of fame and downright musical brilliance with My Life in A Made Metal Band. This is the other side of the coin, the story of what happens when a band’s inherent genius is recognised, and they reap the rewards that their incredible music deserves.

Timōrātus will unveil their masterpiece, My Life in A Made Metal Band, on June 10th, released in conjunction with Mythic Panda Productions.

There’s nothing wrong with a bit of comedy in metal, provided it can be backed up with kick-ass music. Just look at bands like Raised by Owls, Party Cannon and Nekrogoblikon as some of the modern crop doing exactly that.

Now add Timōrātus to that list as a hilarious story comes to life, through the medium of extreme metal.

…and what extreme metal it is. A little bit black, a fair bit death, a nice amount of technicality, odes to heavy metal and so much more. My Life in A Made Metal Band is an album of crunching and crushing heaviness with a tongue jammed in a cheek. An experience that is both fun and ferocious, a combination of smiles and head-banging noise. What’s not to enjoy?

The story that Timōrātus is telling on this album is a particular high-point, the conceptual detail of a band reaching the highs all desire, told in surprisingly epic fashion. Especially as, vocally, it’s harsh. However, not indiscernible or nonsensical. That it’s also throwing some shade on some of the ‘modern’ practices of the industry (Fan Trouble, Band Briefing and Record Reckoning), albeit exaggerated, adds some serious depth.

However, the real selling point of this album is the music and the incredible flair that Timōrātus showcase. Just listen to the second track on the album, Too Famous to see what Timōrātus have to offer. Or even how brutal and catchy they can get via something like Can’t Keep Up. Or even how absurdly melodic they can be when delivering a ‘sell-out’ style ballad intro in the form of Lonely.

Overall, My Life in A Made Metal Band is a spectacular example of story-telling, comedy and viciousness.

Timōrātus – My Life in A Made Metal Band Full Track Listing:

1. We Made It
2. Too Famous
3. Fan Trouble
4. Better Than You
5. Best Show Pt 2
6. Band Briefing
7. Can’t Keep Up
8. Lonely
9. Record Reckoning
10. We Blew It
11. Sorry

Links

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