ZAMAK - The Dark of the Sun (2015)

Zamak Has Come

Completely unexpectedly Mexican beast called Zamak trampled my nice garden-plot. Unexpectedly, because I didn’t expect such a ravager meeting. What is more, even if the band being under command of Antonio Ruiz is twenty years old crew with four full-lengths in its curriculum vitae, this material is the first title with Zamak’s name in my collection. “The Dark of the Sun” consists of two new tracks and two re-recorded versions of the old ones, all clocking in 20 minutes, bringing a piece of solid metal craft. As for production side, the band decided to entrust it to familial duo from MAT studio. And the sound realization is just an added value, yet it doesn’t disturb the overall impression and throws away any kind of nowadays soullessness.

Musically Zamak is rooted in death metal dimension, although its branches reach black metal too, especially when the riffs construction is concerned. And two Swedish bands come to my mind: Dawn (from “Slaughtersun” era) and Dissection with the “Storm of the Light’s Bane” monument. Beyond doubt, the base here is the fast furious tempo, but the guitar layers have audible proneness to aforementioned Swedish names, creating quite memorable tunes. Venomous vocals of Antonio are very clear and well-marked, yet it is another thing that guides the band into the black side. Two first songs conquer my mind very efficiently and they’re just a good visiting-card of the band. Both consciously built and executed, with many successful guitar leads. But something different comes from the old songs, as they show some too melodic fragments that soften a bit the whole. But, that’s right, in “The Scars Remind Us”, those parts are mixed with obsessively fast drums as a proper counterweight.

Maaany long months have passed from the last “Hate Dominion Revenge” album, and this year was a high time to unleash something new into the underground. After the line-up changes, Zamak decided to record a safe production with four tracks only, yet I do hope it is a sign-post for better and fruitful future, especially when all refers to the newest killers. This stuff has its own charm, it hit my heart not only by impulsive and well-arranged portion of music, but also showing this Swedish touch I have been praising since ages. Minutes go very fast, with no yawn whiles, delivering bloody madness. And one more thing concerning band’s name on the end, if read backwards, it turns into ‘Kamaz’, Russian heavy lorry. The overall impact isn’t fully murderous as compared to sudden end-on collision, although Zamak is able to cause some serious injuries as well.   

78/100

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written in December, 2015)