when i bought oathbreaker's second full length 'eros|anteros' two years ago, i really came to like the gloomy and desperate atmosphere the band creates on this album. the album isn't breath-taking all the way through but definitely worth the time spent listening to. when i come across a new album of a band i never heard before, my natural hunting instincts force me to check out possible other releases.
in the case of oathbreaker i inevitable stumbled upon 'maelstrom'. it's their debut full length and out through deathwish inc. quite a compliment for a european band that even across the pond such a well-reputed american label heard of their musical deeds. but when i listened to 'maelstrom' for the first time it couldn't convince me completely. and in comparison with 'eros|anteros' it still can't but that's ok.
it misses a bit of that cold and dark black metal touch of the sophomore record. but i can appreciate this record in the musical context of the band and it is still an entertaining listen. check for yourself. the full record at your service. there are two colour-ways of the first press. 300 on bone white and 700 on my bronze vinyl. a second press on bone/bronze merge vinyl also in circulation, which looks way better but i can't be bothered to get a copy. i'm fine with my ebay find. deathwish inc. 2011.
