Review: Threat Signal - Vigilance (2009)

Threat Signal's back with their sophomore album, Vigilance, after knocking off my socks with their debut album, Under Reprisal, which I showered with praise in a review back in July. Going in with high expectations, since Under Reprisal is (in my "rational eyes" LOL) a near-perfect album, I double-clicked the first track and after a short introduction, 'Afterlife' bursts and is instantly a song I'd love to see this group perform.

I'm taken aback, though, by Howard's instant use of "clean" vocals. I go back to Under Reprisal and click 'Rational Eyes'. Screams; deeper, growling vocals; thicker riffs - what's going on here? I go back to 'Afterlife' and the changes between albums are instantly apparent. Not to say the change is bad, but it's obvious to me now that I was looking for an Under Reprisal Pt.2.

Moving on, the track has a catchy chorus and, though it's very different compared to the last album's opener, it's still a solid song. 'Through My Eyes' has more of those semi-clean vocals, but this track sounds a bit more like the Threat Signal I know and love.

'The Beginning of the End' opens with Howard's trademark scream and is a fast-paced track, and the following 'United We Stand' opens similarly, with a melodic chorus and airy-feeling vocals from Howard lifting you to a kick-ass solo that echoes the same style as Under Reprisal's 'Inane'.

'Beyond Recognition' keeps the same tempo quick, with relentless drumming and fun guitar riffs. 'Another Source of Light' throws me for a loop, though, with a solid introduction, but horrible vocals that sound nothing like Howard - more like a mix between him, a high school kid with a cold and that one dude from Linkin Park. This is only until the chorus, though, which is good. The song's conclusion is great, as well, and if it weren't for those damn verses, this song would be killer.

'Hate Machine' has a cool little riff forty seconds in, but 'Severed' sounds just like 'Hate Machine' in that both songs practically open the same. 'Lost' opens with a great acoustic piece and 'Revision' gets props for its opener, as well.

What sucks is that after a while, the album gets repetitive and I know it isn't because of the genre because I listen to a lot of liberties that're taken in heavy metal and there are many that are executed brilliantly. Under Reprisal is a prime example of that.

Basically, my expectations for Vigilance were not completely met. It's a decent album with a few good songs, but if I want Threat Signal uninterrupted and completely enjoyable, I'm going back to Under Reprisal.

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Upcoming Releases: Threat Signal - Vigilance

A quick reminder that Threat Signal will be dropping their second album, Vigilance, on

September 8th in North America. Attached is the album art and track listing provided by their

mySpace page.

01. Afterlife
02. Through My Eyes
03. The Beginning Of The End
04. United We Stand
05. Beyond Recognition
06. Another Source Of Light
07. Hate Machine
08. Severed
09. Lost
10. Revision
11. In Repair
12. Escape From Reality
13. To Remember

MySpace

Review: Threat Signal – Under Reprisal (2006)

Threat Signal debuted a few years ago with “Under Reprisal,” a masterpiece if I do say so myself. Threat Signal is an experience second to none and, when compared to all 285+ artists in my personal library, no one comes close. Echoing my sentiments for Sweden’s Scar Symmetry, I cannot find anyone else to match the ferocity of Canada’s Threat Signal.

The opening track, ‘Rational Eyes,’ is an in-your-face assault, mixed with hard riffs, great screams, great drumming, and great melodic vocal work from lead Jon Howard. Yes, it’s melodic death metal, which is quite possibly my favourite genre and this CD is quite possible my one favourite out of everything I have.

‘As I Destruct’ opens like an off-time mess (no qualms here!) and ‘One Last Breath’ opens with a shotgun blast before unloading its melodic beauty through your speakers.

‘Seeing Red’ is a fun and quick song but it’s the fifth track, one ‘A New Beginning’ that I vote the best track on the album. Not just because it’s the first song I heard from them on their mySpace, but because it’s perfect. Opening with a light intro, the real meat of the song is Howard’s screaming and the thick riffs behind him. The track is 4 ½ minutes of delicious goodness, with hard bass thumps that will rock your trunk if you have a good set-up in your car.

Following is ‘Counterbalance,’ another damn good song, and after that is ‘Inane,’ a close tie for first when it comes to the album’s greatest song. Clocking in at over six minutes, ‘Inane’ is all screams until around 2 ½ minutes in, when the vocals end and the guitar work by McKnight and Rich Howard take over. The outro is over three minutes long and is all solos and riffs. Each time I listen to this track, I question my vote for best song.

‘Now’ and ‘Faceless,’ while good, are somewhat forgettable for me. ‘Haunting’ is a great track but mainly because the demo I heard of it before I purchased the CD stuck with me so well. The closer, ‘When All is Said and Done’ is simply magnificent.

Threat Signal debuts strong with “Under Reprisal,” which I consider one of the greatest works I have in my collection. The band, though, has suffered quite the line-up change in losing their guitarist McKnight and their drummer. We’ll just have to wait and see what the band has to offer when their follow-up, “Vigilance,” drops this August.

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