THE HAUNTED — Strength in Numbers (review)

THE HAUNTED — Strength in Numbers album cover Album · 2017 · Groove Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Strength in Numbers" is the ninth full-length studio album by Swedish thrash metal act The Haunted. The album was released through Century Media Records in August 2017. It´s the successor to "Exit Wounds" from 2014 and the lineup who recorded the predecessor is intact. "Exit Wounds" was an album which marked a new beginning for The Haunted after a major lineup shuffle happened after the release of "Unseen" (2011). But it´s interesting to note that four out of the five members of the current lineup were members of The Haunted at various times in the 1990s/2000s, so there´s no issues with the credibility of calling the band The Haunted.

Stylistically the material on "Strength in Numbers" is a continuation of the aggressive thrash metal style also found on "Exit Wounds". The occasional excursion into groove thrash and melodic death metal territories are also heard here and there, but "Strength in Numbers" is first and foremost an aggressive thrash metal release featuring a powerful, sharp, and detailed sound production. Lead vocalist Marco Aro has a commanding raw voice and vocal delivery (somewhere between raw hardcore shouting and semi-growling), and The Haunted are as always a very well playing band. The rhythm section is tight, the riffs are delivered with precision but also an organic groove, and Ola Englund´s solos add a slight bit of melody to the otwerwise relentless thrashy brutality.

Upon conclusion "Strength in Numbers" sounds exactly how I expected it to sound, when being familiar with "Exit Wounds" (and the rest of The Haunted´s discography). It´s a solid good quality release from a seasoned band, which is an entertaining listen but not exactly a standout release in the band´s discography. It´s a bit harsh to state that their prime is behind them, but it´s what my ears tell me. When that is said I´ll maintain that "Strength in Numbers" is a good quality release and fans of aggressive thrash metal could definitely do worse than give this album a listen. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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