Review: Aquila – Imperium (2009)

Canada’s Aquila are yet another band to take a stab at the melodic metalcore sub-genre, but unlike many others who steer towards commercialized clean vocal pop during certain interludes, Aquila are completists when it comes to their loyalty to creating a true metal record. 2009’s Imperium is the band’s full length debut and demonstrates what made the melodic death and metalcore combo worthwhile to begin with.

While Imperium isn’t what I’d call original, it certainly isn’t bland and common either. Aquila may play melodic metalcore, but they are clearly aiming to rival those in the upper echelons of Gothenburg. Virtually everything is in place for Aquila to really make a splash, they have a good screamer in Mark Arruda, and the dueling melodic guitars of Anthony Rimac and Matt Shelsonne are spot on while being backed by the crisp drumming of Matt McGuire. If I could distinguish the bass Adam Massicotte I’d probably give him props too. Imperium isn’t a record that is going to break down doors or anything, but I legitimately enjoy it for the same reasons why I got into melodic death metal and metalcore to begin with, it is a CD that takes the rawness of hardcore and the technicality of Swedish death metal and I am truly a sucker for it! The talent is there along with the intent to dismantle, I think that subsequent releases will provide a much more mature, original sound that could propel the band forward.

Of course, the lack of originality on Imperium is also its downfall. I doubt Imperium will make much headway in the metal community because of its very nature no matter how catchy it may be. Metal fans, especially new ones, have grown more and more fickle over the years and demand what pop metal culture deems worthy to their ears with not much leeway for anything else, including the stuff that was once en vogue only a few short years ago. True metalcore fans will dig this album, as will melodic death metal fans more than likely. If you like Soilwork, Beyond the Embrace and early All That Remains, I think you’ll dig Imperium to a surprising degree.

GOOD

Similar Artists: Soilwork, Beyond the Embrace, All That Remains

1.    Imperium
2.    Our Darkness
3.    Within These Flames
4.    Kill or be Killed
5.    Never to Awake
6.    Vae Victus
7.    Suffer and Solitude
8.    No Forgiveness
9.    Breathing Fire, Breathing Life
10.    Bound for Glory

Self Released

http://www.myspace.com/aquilametal

Review by CODY