Disc review: Throwdown, Deathless

This review was originally published on Exclaim!

Throwdown Deathless By Ronak Ghorbani When Throwdown released Venom and Tears in 2007, it was supposed to be a step in a new direction for the Californian metalcore band, as their songs became more structured and thrash-like. But since leaving Trustkill for E1 and releasing their sixth studio album, Deathless, Throwdown are taking a giant leap back, landing in a more generic-sounding area. Although vocalist Dave Peters delivers his expected flawless growl, musically the album is dull. The creativity shown on Haymaker and Venom is lost in Deathless ― gone are the days of layered guitar riffs and breakdowns. It’s well known that Throwdown take influences from the likes of Pantera and Metallica, but it’s gotten to the point where, at times, they sound like a well-rehearsed cover band. All is not lost, however, as the album’s gems are “Headed South,” which features killer Southern guitar licks and sludge-like breaks, and “Black Vatican,” which sounds like it could’ve come off Vendetta. (E1)