Review: KELTIC JIHAD “Immaculate Perception” (2012)

Reviewed by David Pearce

Artist: Keltic Jihad
Album: Immaculate Perception
Label: Totally Ratted Productions
Date of Release: 27th April 2012

1. Immaculate Perception
2. Past Imperfection
3. Tribes
4. Shadowkin
5. Kristallnacht
6. Consumed
7. Suffocate
8. Paradigm
9. Entropy
10. House Of Cards
11. Termination
12. Serenity

Conceived in 2004 by Nottingham based guitarist Kev McCarthy, the original concept of Keltic Jihad was finally realised in May 2007 when a complete lineup was pieced together. This paved the way for the band’s no nonsense approach to its musical goal. Which from day one has been to fuse the intricacies of progressive metal with the ferocity of classic thrash but bringing it all together in a package that is still accessible to all fans of the genre.
Not only reaping the rewards of a heightened online presence, the band have also been very well received in the live environment where hard work and dedication in the rehearsal room has led to a very precise and deadly live attack. On seeing the band’s first gig, representatives of the legendary Bloodstock Open Air festival immediately booked the band to appear. Shows in support of Korpiklaani, Overkill, Blaze Bayley, Evile and many others have kept the name of the band in the public eye. As members have come and gone, Keltic Jihad have gone from strength to strength. Now fronted by vocalist Leilani Mason, the band has not only completed their second album but also have about twenty songs written for their third. Joining Kev & Leilani in this current incarnation of the band are long time bass player Rod Boston, drummer Chris Pinkett and guitarist Dylan Raine. The band will be touring again in the not too distant future in support of the forthcoming album Immaculate Perception.

The first song on the album is Immaculate Perception, which is the title song to the album starts off with a little guitar riff in which then bursts into life with a very heavy riff, then the clean female vocals come in and some deep screaming vocals aswell. This classic thrash style on this song really gets my head banging together with the stunning solos that are on this song aswell makes it a great start to the album. The next Three songs Past Imperfection, Tribes, Shadowkin have all the qualities that a good thrash album should have powerful drumbeats, good quality riffs, Shredding solos and good quality vocals. The Fifth song on the album is Kristallnacht starts off with a fast riff then the clean vocals come in perfectly pitched with the guitars, the pounding drumbeat instantly gets my head banging. Then all of a sudden it slows down and in comes a quality high speed solo all I want to do at this point is to get the old air guitar out and do a bit of shredding myself. The song itself is really good it has all you need in a classic song. The next Three songs on the album are Consumed, Suffocate and Paradigm are again full of thrashtasic riffs, clean and harsh vocals by Leilani and Kev on Suffocate and Paradigm, also pounding drumbeats and stunning solos. Entropy is the Ninth song on the album and it starts off with a heavy reverb guitar riff with the pounding drums along side then the quality vocals come in after that. The song has some real lovely pieces of technique on show in this song from the riffs to the solos they have just been done so well. The next Two songs are House Of Cards and Termination has again some really heavy spine tingling riffs, pounding drumbeats. The vocals in these songs are a mix of clean and harsh which are balanced perfectly and the solos in them are a joy to hear. The last song on the album is called Serenity the song starts off like a bullet from a gun then as the vocals starts its tempo slows slightly. But the intensity is still there and the guitar work is excellent especially the solos on this song it has been done to perfection.

Overall

This is one high intensity album the vocals from Leilani are superb I have a weakness for a good female singer and I have just found another one to add to my list also the harsh vocals from Kev give the songs real balance as they power through them. The guitars on this album are outstanding from the powerful thrash riffs to the stunning shredding solos they are a joy to be heard and the drums are the heartbeat of all the songs are pounding out the beat just got my head banging on every song. This is a good classic thrash album and I really enjoyed it.

8/10