Metalfanatix
German metal has consistently been solid ever since Kreator and Sodom have come onto the scene. Verdict isn´t any different, even with their first full-length CD. They are an aggressive thrash metal band and sounds similar to Kreator, Sodom, Slayer, the heaviness of Strapping Young Ladd, and some old Metallica elements. There is a nasty, raunchy, heaviness to the guitars mixed with pounding drums, and ferocious words. Vocals on "Reflections Of Pain" sound very similar to Kreator. The heavy chugging riffs are mixed with speed metal riffs; it´s comparable to an out of control train. Lots of catchy riffs get your foot tapping and your head banging on the nine tracks and over thirty-eight minutes of music. The production and sound of this disk is great for thrash; it´s a great setup. "Trapped" is my favorite track, along with the title track, "Reflections Of Pain" and "New War". All the other tracks have their moments as well. The songs are pretty good; it´s just that I liked my favorites better. Good job guys!
Rating: 79
www.metalfanatix.com
Chronicles Of Chaos
Verdict - _Reflections of Pain_
(Independent, 2002)
by: Pedro Azevedo (6 out of 10)
The trashy metal presented by Verdict comes wrapped in a decent sound, and the band seem to be well into what they´re doing. Old-school influences prevail on "Reflections of Pain", and I´ve no doubt Verdict are passionate about their music. At some stages in the album they come up with smart passages that spice things up a bit, and the album is generally quite energetic. However, "Reflections of Pain" still suffers somewhat from being a full-length, in the sense that a lot of it is quite generic -- even though there´s nothing hugely wrong with it, there´s hardly anything very remarkable during a vast portion of the album either. Some of these breaks and riffs had their day a bit too long ago, much as Verdict do a decent job with them. Verdict are technically competent, even though the music could be fuller (through some busier percussion, perhaps), and do manage to come up with relatively fresh-sounding passages as well -- this isn´t a blatant rehash of old days. It just seems to lack something to make it stand out from such a huge crowd in the year 2003.
(article submitted 4/28/2003)
www.chroniclesofchaos.com
Aversi Online
I didn´t know what to expect from this German act, but they kick out nine tracks of thrash mayhem with vocals that sound somewhat similar to Kreator and music that combines all sorts of thrash influences (mostly older plus some modern tinges) with leads that are sometimes a bit more rocked out. Sadly the production holds them back from being a bit more forceful, but for the most part they´re on the right track with the songwriting. The production problems mainly stem from a thin guitar tone and a distinct lack of bass in the mix (or at least a distinct lack of low-end, the bass is audible back in there). The drums and vocals sound fine to me (the drums could be a bit warmer), but if the guitars were heavier and the bass was louder it would be a big help. Right now the guitars have too much midrange and no real crunch, the distortion should be louder (although the lead tone is actually pretty damn good). "New War" displays some awesome rhythms that remind me a little bit of the almighty Cyclone Temple with their creative use of unusual melodic chords and strong picking patterns. There´s a nice clean break with spoken vocals, too. "Final Crash" also has some death metal riffing in the form of tremolo picking and pinch harmonics aplenty, and "Horizons" is a clean instrumental that makes for a nice closing. One of the more memorable tracks, "Conflict", is back and forth: There´s a great chorus, but they also throw in some mediocre death metal riffing and it feels like it drags a bit, though it only runs four minutes? That´s actually one of the only problems here, aside from the recording: A lot of the songs feel a little bit long, even though the longest track is merely over five minutes. I don´t know if it´s repetition or a certain lack of variety, but something needs an extra kick. Perhaps if they sped up the tempos just a tad to add more energy and cut off maybe 30 seconds from each track at the same time that would help? I don´t know, but I definitely think the creativity of "New War" is the direction to explore. The layout isn´t that bad. The colors are all very consistent, as is the appearance in general. Some of the text is a bit pixilated, and at times nearly runs off the edges of the pages, but I like some of the layered imagery and the color scheme. They only included excerpts of the lyrics from each track, just enough to supply the listener with an idea of what the topics are. For the most part the songs deal with, you guessed it, pain and suffering, both on a personal level and in terms of socio-political issues (mainly war). Not bad. I think that with some work this band would have the potential to bring some true thrash back to the forefront.
Running time - 38:01, Tracks: 9
[Notable tracks: New War, Conflict, Horizons]
www.aversionline.com
Prelude To Darkness
VERDICT is back on Prelude to Darkness pages but this time they display greater technic and therefore deliver better stuff, a full-lenght CD in which two old songs we reviewed from their "Promo 2000" has been featured too. Their musical direction keeps pointing toward the old school´s German Thrash metal, let´s say ala Kreator, although their style also features some sparkles of old school´s Death metal. Among what "Reflections of Pain" presents the drums standout! precise great performance that features unmerciful double-bass blasts, moreover, Verdict put a lot of feeling into every riff and guitar leads and that way demostrate that they carry the old school´s essence we appreciate so much in their veins! "Reflections of Pain" is composed of 9 songs such as: "Black Sea"; "Conflict"; "Sick Society"; "Final Crash"; the great instrumental "Horizons", among others. If you consider yourself a true thrasher you must not miss the opportunity to get this stuff! ...Excellent work!
www.geocities.com/prelude666
Heavy Metal Universe
I thought all thrash metal bands were old, or at least the good ones like KREATOR, SODOM, DESTRUCTION, OVER KILL, TESTAMENT and many others from the 80´s, but absolutely not ! Last year we discovered the Dutchmen of FLESH MADE SIN and the Italians of ENEMYNSIDE, and today it´s VERDICT´s turn. The band comes from Germany and proudly presents some pure thrash which reminds the eighties german wave for our biggest pleasure. This self-produced 9-tracks album represents perfectly what thrash metal fans wanna hear today, some real in-your-face powerful thrash without compromise. Excellent blasting riffs, technical solos and a voice close to Mille´s (KREATOR) are the ingredients VERDICT uses to records this little jewel. An album that will remain as a major release in the underground world of thrash metal and will surely open the door to more fame as you can just like it. Buy or die !
Séb
Points: 6
www.heavymetaluniverse.com
Metal Centre
On good day I thrust oneself Germen! Germen with characteristic names like: Baptista, Montkowski. And I must ascertain, that was not this such bad idea because a little improved me frame of mind after listened their death/thrash metal. But when I listen their I will reach to conclusion, that terrible honey-cake turned out from me, because more new mutations of death metal do not set me in better mood and on the contrary I catch strenge weariness! And such VERDICT with one´s own not very revealing music will be able to exert on me affirmative impression and this is surely good... good because, they play traditional and so that was more amusingly that the band exists of already some 10 years and rather going behind trend and changing fashion does not lie in their nature!!!
Though this is my first meeting with the band and unfortunately with difficulty is to infer me after "Reflections Of Pain" how sounded their music through last decade and was always well-kept in spirit of tradition! I do not know why palavers me composition of guitars in connection with big pots and vocal? With certainty their structure of compositions is leaning on straight line composition and there are not useless combination, maybe it is evidence that terrible honey-cake is from me! Even appearing where not where soloes at my apathy to them pass smoothly... tempo of material is moderate, sound is cool, so of what yet more to happiness it is necessary... I know! Surely this of beer, what its yesterday on hangover I drank, hehehe.
Gnom
www.metalcentre.com
Metal Observer
Thrash Metal is reawakening on almost every corner, from Australia to Germany and most of those bands do not try to sound modern like Neo-Thrash, nope, they play the sound of old, just with a current and modern production. The latest band to emerge are German VERDICT, who are offering us their full-length debut "Reflections Of Pain".
And they deliver the goods in a quite impressive manner, with a lot of power and crunch in their sound, utilizing the force of double-bass drums together with an unrelenting double-guitar-attack that shoots out riffs to the left and right, making the listener try to duck for cover. Further supported by a very clear and powerful production, VERDICT generate a forceful sound that draws its Thrash Metal-categorization mostly from the vocals of Daniel Baptista, who sometimes borders a little on Death Metal, but has a characteristic Thrash-shout/growl, which does not appeal that much to me, but the music makes up for it.
"Reflections Of Pain", "Black Sea", all are grenades that will blow you a few centimetres into the back of your chair. No matter if cushioned or pure wood or Metal, VERDICT don´t care. But do not expect an all-out old-school attack ala KREATOR or SODOM, no, VERDICT musically border more on the really heavy Power Metal (whereas I do not want to say that they are Power Metal!). Only exception is the closing "Horizons", which brings us a wonderfully dreamy instrumental, very atmospheric and just plainly beautiful?
Anyways, "Reflections Of Pain" can easily compete with the vast majority of comparable regular label-releases, so Thrashers get this one, it´s worth it! (Online December 1, 2002)
Alex
7,5/10
www.metal-observer.com
Into Obscurity
A poor logo is the first thing I noticed about this album. It looks like something I would scratch on one of my notebooks back when I was in high school (my lack of art skills is why I´m now a computer programmer). But past the logo, Verdict play incredible thrash metal that has progressed rather than sticking to traditions held almost 20 years ago. It´s a bit more harsh, a bit faster, very stop-and-go and has some death metal influence, especially similar to Obituary, arguably my favorite death metal band ever. The riffs are simple, but the speed themselves make them difficult to play. The vocals are extremely harsh and the drumming is quite precise. One thing that has been improved from the first wave of thrash is the production. "Reflections of Pain" is as crisp as any professional out there right now, which really helps with the intensity of this style of music, which is meant to be very abrasive. The early thrash metal bands weren´t fortunate enough to get this type of production so even though their music was quite extreme at the time, their albums still sounded demo quality, which unfortunately, forced them to lose some of their aggressive sound. The vocals really stand out on this album. The frontman has an insane voice and I haven´t heard someone sound so venomous in a while.
I think that this full length was self-financed for the band, so it may be hard to find, but you can buy it directly from them at their website: www.verdict.de. I suggest you look into them. They´re one of the most promising unsigned acts I´ve heard recently.
Grade: 73/100
www.into-obscurity.com
Beyond Webzine
If theres one thing you learn fast when you get involved with independent releases, its that you shouldnt judge a book by its cover. So, you learn never to jump with joy when you see a neat, even professional looking product. With this said, when Germany sends you one of its Thrash bands, you often tend to forget what you know and start frolicking with the mere thought of getting off on it. Bingo! Verdict is the typical example of a band that listened to Kreator a lot and knew how to become a worthy student of its master. What power and elegant aggression did our Teutonic friends throw at our faces! From the first notes on, you feel that the groove is going to eat you. No mistake. Why? Well, although Verdict are a class act when it comes down to developing harmonic patterns, its on account of their efficiency that they rule! A few calmer moments were provided in order to avoid neck injuries with the incontinents of headbanging (the clean part on New War is rather simple but of rare beauty) and the disc even ends with extremely soothing arpeggios but on the whole, this is pure killer shredding!!! Hats off!
review: RNO
translation: Fae
www.beyondwebzine.com
Heavy Metal Mania
This is the first effort by this German band that decided to record a full length on its own without having a label backing them up. And judging by the result, they don´t really seem to need one either, since they did fine on their own. I don´t know how their Death Metal sounded like in the past, but I did like their Thrashy present. Their music is very characteristic of the German Thrash Metal sound, drawing influences mainly from Kreator, without loosing its personality though. I especially enjoyed their guitar themes, which are rather typical for this type of music, but they sounded groovier than usual, which made them even more pleasant. The vocals are as aggressive as they should be, while the production stands at very good levels, compared to the self financed standards of other bands. Few melodies, nice solos, solid rhythms and aggression are what this album is all about. I bet that Verdict are capable for bigger things if they are given the chance, so I will expect more from them in the future. You can buy this album, if you are interested, from the band´s website for € 12 (shipping & handling included).
OVERALL SCORE: 7,5
Review by Loukas Vlavianos
www.heavy-metal-mania.vze.com
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