In Arcadia - Wasteland Chronicles

\r\nThis fresh French melodeath act unleashes its 3rd album Wasteland Chronicles in truly hard times. Beneath an amazing cover lay 47 minutes of modern metal in the vein of Arch Enemy and the likes. A genre that had its days and strives to maintain a decent quality status. But In Arcadia start off their new effort with a couple of weak songs, moving on with bits and pieces of interesting ideas here and there and manage to disappoint in the very end. Let’s see through it. Indifferent and way too common riffs are there to bore you at times. So are the guest appearances (Benighted and Gamma Ray members) whose role is even annoying (pig squeals in melodeath? NO!). I guess the band thought they’d draw attention but the result does not do them any good. Melodic choruses in some songs indicate a more up to date approach to the song writing. The band wants to hit the metal market with hooks and catchy tunes, shreds and everything that the giants of the genre offer in quantity. Children Of Bodom styled solos, Arch Enemy rhythm sections and all the known patterns are here. It’s not that they are not good players; on the contrary, they manipulate their instruments in a mastery manner. It’s the song writing that lacks the originality and the passion to make me want to press play again.  And again: this is not a bad album. But not a good one either. Like it or not we are living in times when tech skills are a standard. So is the perfect production. Perhaps too perfect... But to put aside my "evil me", you can find interesting parts throughout its duration. In Arcadia show potential but just showing potential in your third release perhaps is a bit frustrating. I’m sure fans of Norther and COB will find things to love in Wasteland Chronicles but I haven’t been convinced yet of its quality. Time will tell and time will show. I wouldn’t recommend a curious listen though...\r\n

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\r\nJon "Remedy" Nakos \r\n

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