Review / 200 Words Or Less
Hell Within
Shadows of Vanity

Lifeforce (2007) Kevin Fitzpatrick

Hell Within – Shadows of Vanity cover artwork
Hell Within – Shadows of Vanity — Lifeforce, 2007

Taken verbatim from the initial notes of the reviewer: Starts out promisingly enough with Derek Jay beating the snare like he just caught it pooching his wife. Same energy as early Metallica (hey kids! remember them?). Vocalist reminiscent of the Avenged Sevenfold dude. Christ, I hope he looks cooler.)

The song being referred to is the opening and title track "Shadows of Vanity". To call Hell Within the ultimate Headbanger's Ball band would not be a compliment. To say it should be the ultimate Headbanger's Ball band would be more apt, because as anyone who watches the show can attest to, it's become a not-so-delightful mélange of Ozzfest castoffs and sound-alikes that hardly has one rushing to the music shop to pick up the latest and greatest. Hell Within could very well be the next savior of heaviness. Crisp, suitable production, slightly above average vocals (possibly improved by a recent singer-sacking) minimal (yet sadly, still existent) breakdowns but surrounded by some of the best riffs this side of the last Exodus album make this one of the few albums you can really bust out the mosh to.

Hell Within – Shadows of Vanity cover artwork
Hell Within – Shadows of Vanity — Lifeforce, 2007

Related news

Thorp Signs Hell Within

Posted in Labels on October 30, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

The Phase Problem

The Power Of Positive Thinking
Brassneck Records (2024)

I spent a good part of the late ‘90s annoyed at the abundance of Ramonescore. I’ll stand by my word: many of the bands of that era were carbon copies that didn’t bring anything new to the format. But time has passed and what was overdone is now a refreshing change of pace. For whatever reason, when I hear a … Read more

Totally Slow

The Darkness Intercepts
Refresh Records (2024)

I find Totally Slow a hard band to categorize. Their brand of melodic, hard punk is familiar and comforting -- rooted in ‘80s hardcore, ‘90s skatepunk, and post-something guitar-driven rock. The press release namedrops Dag Nasty and Hot Snakes, among others, which I think are good starting points. But while it’s familiar, it’s absolutely not a carbon copy. Like their forebearers, the songs … Read more

Steamachine

City of Death
Records Workshop (2023)

City Of Death is the third album from Polish noise makers Steamachine. Having dabbled in a few metal styles over their career, City Of Death has a heavy carnival influence to it which I have to say I really like. It's interesting just how much more sinister things sound when you pump eerie, jingly circus sounds amongst very dark, heavy, … Read more