Pictured
The
Strand of Time
9
Track Album
Finisterian
Dead End
Released
25th May 2012
Pictured – Bretagne, France
Links:
Genre: Metal
Biography:
“Created in 2007 in Quimper, Brittany, the band releases its first self-produced
demo, "Son of The Night", in 2008. Already characterized by a strong
musical personality, Pictured releases "The Dwelling" in 2010 at the
Drudenhaus Studio (Anorexia Nervosa, Alcest, Ultra Vomit). This release gets
numerous positive feedbacks and its title track is said by the French webzine
Metalorgie to be a "true hit, maybe one of the best melo-death songs heard
that year". Later, the band finds other sources for creation and brings up
new material, more mature and powerful and passes again the gates of the Drudenhaus
for the recording of their first album, "The Strand of Time", during
November 2011. With this brand new self-production. Pictured makes another step forward in the
French metal scene, boosted by their collaborations with the Breton Label
Finisterian Dead End and with the French crew "La Klonosphère"
(Trepalium, Klone, Hacride...) and Season of Mist. Bound by passion and
determination, the four guys from Pictured are ready to thrash the scene!”
Another
A hungry and devouring track that brings its own rewards. With
chunky metal riffs incorporating low brutal growls, a stealthy array of
drumming, plus melodic rhythms and steely guitar. The French certainly know how
to produce some startling metal.
Metal
A furious rampage kicks off on this track and forges enough energy
and aggression to thoroughly get engrossed. It captures the senses with its
vibrant run of riffs and melodic core.
The Howling Forest
This is such an amazing track with crazed keyboard and stark
reminder that beauty and the beast still exists in Metal. It maintains its
character pushing forward with its well-balanced and blended tones that turn
vehement furthering on in the track.
Black Bile
As its title suggests this is a gruesome stab in the dark and it
doesn’t miss either! Its host’s abrasive qualities that capture the imagination
with really strong rapacious riffs and engaging drum beats.
To Hell and Back
Is just as dark sounding as its title! The vocal growls are not
altogether prevalent on the track with clean vocals emerging at several points.
It morphs into a primal frenzy of metal chugs and delivers an anthemic
structure that is gnarly and abrasive.
------------------------------------------------
“Soaked in high velocity melodic
swathes it does have a compelling side that needs to be fully explored. It
holds a radiant and rewarding exploration of well-crafted tracks and brutalises
where necessary!”
------------------------------------------------
Curses
This is a stroll through more powerful melodic textures and soars
with an evocative strike! The track itself pulses with a vibrant layering of
flamboyant melody and flare.
The Dwelling
The essences bristle with a low but extreme energy underlying a tension
that sizzles and broods with a beauty of ruthless melody that captures
immediately. This has to be a favourite
– playback time!! Fascinating, alluring, appealing and infectious!
Video by Pictured Ful
Stranger
The riotous rampage of riffs is never far away from Pictured who dish out the metal through
their haunting renditions. A powerhouse of sound literally engulfs and breaks
free of its boundaries.
The Strand of Time
This is a buoyant track that rides on ambitious drumming and solid
bass hooks and prowls with equal lust to captivate and fire up your passions.
In a glorious ultimate track Pictured paint
the scenery with molten metal as the rugged tirade comes to life. Restless and wild it is
drenched in a superb swagger of rhythms and ripe for head banging!
Summary:
Although there are some really great high points on this album it is
fair to say it is nothing new and been done before, however, it still indulges
the listener while perforating the ear drums!
Soaked in high velocity melodic swathes it does have a compelling
side that needs to be fully explored. It holds a radiant and rewarding
exploration of well-crafted tracks and brutalises where necessary.
The band know how to employ their skills and do so with strong
results and utilizing them to their limits.
For me it is those catchy melodic hooks that work so well in
engrossing and enslaving the senses, especially on “The Dwelling” that track is just sheer brilliance alone!
Although this CD is now over two years old it is good to know that
music like ‘Pictured’ is still in
the forefront and practised with rugged aggression. Be good to hear further
tracks by this band as I am sure they won’t disappoint, if this CD is anything
to go by.
8/10
Track List:
Another
Metal
The
Howling Forest
Black
Bile
To
Hell and Back
Curses
The
Dwelling
Stranger
The
Strand of Time
Members:
Niko
Beleg - Lead Guitars & Vocals
Seb
- Rhythm Guitars & Backing Vocals
Sylvain
- Bass & Backing Vocals
Thomas
Coic - Drums
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