Conquest

Rage

(c)(p)1997 Pulse Records & Conquest

Review by Neil St.Laurent

Thanks to Scream Productions for the CD

Although an independant band, Conquest has received attention throughout the scene and been voted best metal band three years in a row by a local readers poll. "Rage" is the band's seventh self-produced recording, and their self-described heaviest release.

A primary concern is that Conquest over asserts their position as a metal band, and proclaims the glories of the music much akin, but not to the extreme of, Manowar. Phrases such as "Fads come and Go... but Metal is Forever!" or "Metal is not dead, metal is the undead", combined with the uninspired face paint and leather duds are just enough to put the image of the band in the cheesy regime.

"Rage" is a very heavy endeavor that can claim home in the progressively heavy 90's yet the musical structure would better claim to be that of later 80's style music, much similar to that of older Testament or Pantera. It strives not to be of any possible categorical grouping and instead is influenced by a variety of the standard and extreme genres. As with most music of the related genres the music is very much guitar driven. Ranging from the muddy guitar sounds in some old school death metal to the crunchy sounds of modern power metal, the guitar track is garnished with a solo style lead; that is this additional guitar adds no structure to the music but is usually enjoyable to listen to.

"Rage" is one of those recordings that doesn't really excel with any particular aspect, but is an all around decent recording (the production is respectable). It wouldn't stand out on a store display of metal, but for an unsigned and relatively unknown band it is quite an accomplishment to hold its ground with more popular releases.

Conquest is:
Derrick Brumley - Lead Vocals and Guitar
Tony Restivo - Bass Guitar and Backup Vocals
Tim Fleetwood - Drums and Backup Vocals
Mike Crook - Guitar and Backup Vocals

Contact:
Scream Productions
6054 Odell
St. Louis Mo. 63139
USA

Email: questone@earthlink.net
Voice: +1.314.430.7323

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