The line-up is Amanda (vocals), Keisie (guitar), Totti (keyboards), Wilian (bass) and Guilherme (drums & vocals).
They are influenced by the Scandinavian extreme metal scene. Hawthorn has two independent releases in the form of ‘Dawn Of Blood’ EP (2008) and the full length ‘Thorns And Blood’ (2010). An underground christian black metal label called Sullen Records released a limited edition CD featuring both recordings in February 2011.
The ‘Thorns and Blood’ album opens with a melodic spoken word intro “A scream echoes in my soul / Can’t see anything in my way / Silence cuts like a knife / That rips and annihilates all the senses”. Following this is heavyweight keyboards almost overlaying the guitar in ‘Master Of Lies’, which has gothic clear vocals. It is not until ‘Dark Veil’ that they unleash the snarling thrash vocals and technical guitar riffing. The extreme metal lyrics take force in ‘Dark Night’ with raspy growling “Cold wind in a dark night / Smell of Death that exhale in the darkness / Obscure way that you walk / Trying to overcome / fear and miseries from the heart”.
My personal favourite is ‘Eternal Lord’ which has a melodic keyboard intro, then pauses for dramatic effect before thunderous drumming and brooding guitar forcibly make themselves known. Amanda’s haunting, operatic vocals send a tremor down the spine and trades places with Guilherme’s snarling. “Oh my Lord / Put me in battles for your name / Use me as a divine instrument / It doesn’t matter the price I need to pay / I trust in You my Lord / I depend on your grace my God / God of glory and love”.
They also stray into thrash territory in ‘Thorns’ with its razor sharp riffing and time changes. Whilst it doesn’t mention Jesus by name, it is about his death and resurrection.
Hawthorn is currently working on a new full length album for release in 2011 which should be released later this year on Intense Millennium Records. They are the first officially active band to be signed to the label.
Rating: 7/10
Reviewed by Peter John Willoughby
Empty Soul
Master Of Lies
Dark Veil
Dark Night
Deadly Dreams
Eternal Lord
Lord Of War
Battle Mind
Thorns
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