Review from Canada!

Here's one nicely written review from canadian webzine called Halifax Collect. check it out:


It was a good mail day when the Birds of A Coming Storm found its way into my mail box. A quick look at the CD and I learned the band was from Finland (nice) and it was being released by Combat Rock Industry records (nice!). With both evidences in place, I predicted what was in store for me. My predictions were wrong. In the best way possible.



First off. There are various moments, spread over the entirety of this release that remind me on various bands. So bear with me when I namedrop them. But also keep in mind, that in awaking memories of other more established artists, DEATHBED manage to sound uniquily like themselves. Wheels are not being invented here but there's something compelling and refreshing about how these different echoes come together on Birds... There's familiarity that tugs you in but there's also the ability to shake you up. A nice blend indeed.


'Kirous' starts thing of and is remarkably gripping. Slow and melancholic it's a sure-shoot right to the finish, rising highest during a instrumental-bridge, reminiscent of Switchblade vs. late Buried Inside just before the end credits roll. Powerful. Right here, I sensed maturity and knack for proper song writing. From there on out, DEATHBED denies complacency and keeps things moving and changing.


Throughout, more stellar acts keep cropping up, such as fellow Scandinavians; Burst, Lack and Acursed. Accompanied with such sounds is a considerably affective atmosphere, gloom and doom and sadness, channeled through palpable aggression and drive. There's also a hint of N-American new school hardcore. You know: the deep type. So, there's no shortage of drama either. A loud as hell cocktail that is borderline cinematic at times.


You'd be forgiven to feel as if you'd got beamed up and spat down in the outskirts of a remote town in Finland in the dead of winter. The cold winds and black winter days are tangible after sitting through Birds... Which is quite the accomplishment. This is proper winter music with undeniable presence of prolonged darkness and the want for light. It's almost tragic. This "feel" of Finland is felt the most in the more unconventional tracks, read: the slower ones.


'Pelko Antaa Suunan' is one of my favorites. It's quite unique in its menacing calm. The use of E-Bow on the guitars creates a haunting effect. It ends in a tad predictable fashion which in turn will make the headbangers happy. A tasteful usage of Cry Baby pedals made yours truly happy.


The faster numbers are steeped in the neo-crust variety (i.e. From Ashes Rise) yet feature even more current approach that rivals the recently deceased Lewd Acts. It's a real punch in the gut. Even if the slower tracks are more often than not, the shiners here, I feel that the ragers are needed. If they were not present to kick over the coffins at this funeral, the bleak-o-rama might have been overwhelming.


I do not have a language preference when it comes to music. In DEATHBED's case though, something curious happens. The vocal performance is notably more commendable when sung in their native tongue, Finnish. Language aside, the vocals on a whole have a tad unique ring to them. Nothing outrageous but slightly out of the ordinary. Can't really put my finger on it.
The bass tone is enormous and rattles your ribcage. They are high in the mix and add an aggressive edge to the organic and clear-accented guitars. The overall sound is great and fits the music perfectly.


It is hard to find faults in this confident release. As much as I applaud how they seamlessly mix the N-American influences with the Scandinavian ones I'm eager to hear them elaborate more on the latter. As a whole, everybody can find something engaging on Birds of A Coming Storm as it is pleasantly dynamic yet cohesive. Ignoring this record is ill-advised.

- Birkir Fjalar