Category:
Metal

Try if you like:
Job For A Cowboy, Misery Index, Morbid Angel, The Red Chord

• We Are The Nightmare

Arsis are still fairly new in the "melodic death metal" genre with We Are The Nightmare marking their third album. This is the first that I've heard a full album and I'm very impressed. The Virginia-based metal band seems to have everything going for it. The boys of Arsis are extremely technical and aren't afraid to scare you with their chops. They like the acrobatic riffs that just leave you shaking your head but they also love to throw in those classic speed metal riffs like in "Servants To The Night". I do love Malone's extremely harsh vocals as well. He just doesn't let up, sort of like the instruments. I think my favorite track is "Overthrown" just with it's unrelenting drive, even though the rest of the album could be described as thus. The chaotic "A Feast For The Liars Tongue" was another definite highlight. This Arsis album just got tastier with every listen, the more familiar I got with it. Another great metal highlight of 2008. 

I believe this is the first album that Arsis brought producer Zeuss (Hatebreed, Shadows Fall, Municipal Waste) on. It's a worthy addition because the production is as good as any other metal album this year. 

The version of We Are The Nightmare that I was sent includes a bonus DVD with the making of the album and behind the scenes footage. Very informative. I also found the video for the title track on the other disc in Quicktime format.