PATHS OF POSSESSION - The End of the Hour

By Jessica Valentine - The Incinerator - 10/17/2007

If you're considering getting into Paths of Possession, chances are you're a fan of famed vocalist George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher's work with Cannibal Corpse. I'll say this now: If you're looking for your next "Hammer Smashed Face," inquire elsewhere.

The main problem with The End of the Hour is its composition, which is as lifeless and non-committal as the "concept" that ties the album together (a fuzzy, insipid tale of a man whose self-pity -- sorry, I mean suffering -- somehow turns him into a murderous demon who brings about the apocalypse. Or something.) Forgettable, repetitive riffs sloppily strung together by sporadic pointless breakdowns provide the groundwork for aimlessly floating and suspiciously Gothenburg-esque melodies that occasionally promise some satisfaction but fail to deliver. Even the album's guitar solos, such as the one in the opening track, "Memory Burn," seemingly rise out of nowhere and, in the end, effect more confusion than catharsis. George Fisher's otherwise decent vocal performance also tires quickly due to the lack of rhythmic variance, though he does manage to mix it up occasionally with some rasps and shrieks.

These problems aside, however, The End of the Hour does have some strengths. The overall musicianship is sturdy, if largely uninspiring. The melody in the beginning of "I Am Forever" almost succeeds in communicating the building sense of inevitability that I believe the band intended, and that in "Poisoned Promise Land" actually does succeed in being quite engaging overall. Furthermore, the album's production, courtesy of Hate Eternal's Erik Rutan, is extremely flattering, with chunky guitars and the prominent, fluid bass offering an overall smooth, pleasing sound.

While not without its redeeming qualities, the two most defining characteristics I can assign to Paths of Possession’s The End of the Hour are boring and directionless. With improved songwriting, this band could probably release a fairly decent album; until then, save it for background noise.

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