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Innertia

    
       
       
       
     
             
Exlibris are a heavy metal band from Poland formed in 2003, releasing their debut album 'Skyward' in 2006. The bands next two albums followed in quick succession, 'Humagination' (2013) and 'Aftereal' (2014), with a live performance video 'Night Of Burning' released in 2016. Recent years has seen a period of change for the band with a couple of line-up changes, including a new singer. 'Innertia' is the bands fourth album and was released in the summer of 2018.    
             
A crescendo building and atmospheric, sub two minute intro, is kinda standard fare for the majority of European power metal albums, with 'Innertia' no exception. A twist with this offering though, is an overlaid spoken word passage. The tension is built as 'Innertia' (the sub two minute intro) plays out, bombastically launching into the opening song 'Harmony Of The Spheres'. Powering along at speed, 'Harmony Of The Spheres' is a thunderous gallop of raucous heavy metal and will invoke head banging of the furious nature. A belter of an opening salvo is followed by a more explosive rampage. 'Gravity' is much heavier and more of a heavy foot stomp. Clocking in at just three minutes in length, 'Shoot For The Sun' is a perfect blend of power metal, hard rock and AOR, yes, I just said AOR! The lighter, more ambient feel of 'Shoot For The Sun' pulls it in different directions, making it appeal to a wide ranging audience. Ignite the fuse and stand back as 'Incarnate' takes off at high velocity, furiously fast and a definite highlight on the album. The pace is relentless as 'Incarnate' races on, heads just a blur, as violent head banging accompanies the blistering speed.    
             
'No Shelter' crashes in very heavily, adopting a mid tempo stomp and exuding a vibe normally reserved for power ballad territory. An amazing offering, 'No Shelter' has so many differing characteristics that it is one of the most infectious songs the album has to offer. 'Amorphous' moves the album towards the progressive metal genre, injecting a venomous rhythm as it stomps hard. Switching back and forth between pace and mid tempo stomp, 'Amorphous' is addictive for all the right reasons. The longest song on offer, 'Origin Of Decay', chimes in at over six minutes and is a hard rocking and melodic heavy metal gem. Involuntary head banging will ensue as 'Origin Of Decay' adopts a "foot on the monitor" style feel and is a perfect mix of power, NWOBHM and rock.    
             
The instantly recognisable guitar sound of the iconic NWOBHM movement takes front and centre as 'Multiversal' lurches forward. Buzzing guitars and a raucous rhythm keep 'Multiversal' galloping on, with a sing a long style chorus to boot. With eleven songs across fifty minutes, 'Innertia' (the album) is weighty, and also a very good listen. 'Thunderbird' opens with what can only be described as a barbershops quartet acapello style chant, before launching into an aggressive, foot on the pedal, fast paced romp. That said, the chorus break is the most addictive of any on the album and will have fans singing along in unison. Keyboards introduce the final song 'Ascension', as it builds towards a mid tempo, power ballad foot stomp. Lacking any of the pace and power from the rest of the album, 'Ascension' seems a little out of place, and is a mellow end to what has (up 'til now) been a thunderous and very heavy album.    
             
Overall, a very heavy and hard hitting slab of traditional heavy metal, blended with hard rock and power metal.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Rule #1 (single)      
           
"a catchy romp, 'Rule #1' is a cracking appetiser for the bands (coming soon) fifth album - and I for one, cannot wait" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Shadowrise      
           
"a highly melodic and catchy romp of melded progressive and power metal, 'Shadowrise' is an infectious journey" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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