28 March 2024

Shadow Limb – Burn Scar

Label: Seeing Red Records
Releasedate: 11-10-2019

Let’s go straight to business. Burn Scar is mind-blowing! This is their first album after the EP The King is Dead. This quartet is composed of the majority of the musicians that used to belong to another group called “La Fin du Monde” and they are based in California. These guys have a sound with light doom nuances with a progressive vibe that fits its purpose. The purpose is to rock your life on a miserable weekday, that is. It will spark energy from within our rotten souls. I can’t stop listening to it.

In their bandcamp page, it’s explained that they were influenced by the massive wildfires that stroke California in the last years. It’s a powerful way to pay tribute and raise awareness.
The intro song “Asger arisen” is the start I need. What I thought was “if this is how the album is going to be, I will be very happy”. And I was. I didn’t know I needed this, but I needed it so bad. A screechy growl that alternates with somewhat drunken moaning? This is awesome. Every time I listen to this song, I get blown away by the guitar work again. It has a variation in its flow, faster and slower, plus the power. This is some good prog stuff.

At work, I just stopped everything what I was doing because “Maelstrom Rebirth” had a rhythm change plus guitar solo that made my jaw drop. And again, “You blew it” did the same thing. The mechanized rhythm with an unbelievable steady bass guitar that reminds the instrumental tracks of the classic heavy metal albums as “Killers” or “Iron Maiden”. But they keep the American sparkle of desert rock in the guitar power. This is not a boring album.

“Cleanse of ire” has the doom and you might naively think that it’s going to be a slow one. And it blows as high towards the end. The transition to “Rudiger, his name is not important” (awesome title for a track by the way) is flawless.

To sum up, I felt like watching synchronized swimming in a heavy, powerful form. The musicians are incredibly skilled, the production has achieved the goal. Right now, I’m very eager to hear this guys live. I’m patiently waiting for a European tour and will be wherever I can to see them.

Line up:

  • Mike Crew – Bass
  • Dan Elsen – Drums
  • Chris Roberts – Guitar & Vocals
  • Adam Scarborough – Guitar & Vocals

tracklist

01. Asger Arisen

02. Maelstroms Rebirth

03. Watered Down Alby

04. You Blew It

05. Cry Off

06. Cleanse Of Ire

07. Rudiger, his name is not important

08. Line of Descent

Links:

Facebook
Bandcamp