Taking the Head of Goliath, an American Christian Death Metal band originated in the twin cities, Minnesota in the year 2015. What started with Jake Martin, Matt Vangsgard, Nathan Sherman, Rob Blake became best known when they hired Bassist/Backing Vocalist Luke Renno of the band Crimson Thorn. The band signed up with Rottweiler Records when they were featured on the compilation called Kill the Ill a Benefit Compilation for Grave Robber singer and Rottweiler Records founder, Shawn Browning, to raise money for his medical expenses. By the way the compilation is a massive effort to gather 80 bands on to this mother of all Compilations. Do take a moment and check it out.
With caution and an open mind I take upon myself to review their first ever released EP, as it may set out the tone and expectation for the rest of the community. Starting off with “The Expulsion of Putrid Illusion” which has an array of blast beats with heavy guitar riffing and monster growls which are hard to miss at the opening of the song. The band is very tight and their crisp performance pulverises the grey matter of your head.
Next up with “Trenches” the band forays into off beat time signature thrashing the life out of drum kit, the guitar riffs are catchy and gets you grooving. The intro and outro riff demands a Mosh-pit and makes you feel weightlessness with a sore neck. “Oblivious into Oblivion” rams blast beats and hard hitting guttural growls right into your face, leaving no stone unturned the band takes a melodic shift and adds a Grind-core element to this song.
“This Present Darkness” has harmonic squeals pitched in frequently and offers something different from the previous songs, although there is no doubt that the vocalist makes it a point to let a shiver down your spine (Jake can really make you piss in your pants with his Skull crushing/scathing scream). The audience is all applause and makes one want to watch this band perform live.
“Audacity to Inspire” takes the vocal pitch a tad bit higher and by now the band has defined its sound incorporating grind, slam, tech, melodic and classic death metal into a ultra-heavy sound never lacking in brutality or originality.
Production : The album is recorded live, so the production on this isn’t top notch and sounds jarred. But on a careful listen, as it demands repetitive repeats, subtle nuances are brought to our attention.
Conclusion : Taking the Head of Goliath, has a mission to spread a message of hope, redemption, strength, freedom, patriotism and ultimately salvation through Jesus Christ. Simply put, Taking The Head Of Goliath is death metal for life.
Rating: 8/10
Written by: Ankit Sood
Tracklist:
1. The Expulsion of Putrid Illusion
2. Trenches
3. Oblivious into Oblivion
4. This Present Darkness
5. Audacity to Inspire
Band members:
Jake Martin – Vocals
Nathan Sherman -Guitar
Rob Blake -Guitar
Luke Renno – Bass, Backing Vocals
Matt Vangsgard – Drums
Record Label: Rottweiler Records. April 2017
Weblinks: Facebook / Bigcartel / Bandcamp
An recent (March) interview with TTHOG, can be found here.
Video for ‘The Expulsion Of Putrid Illusion ‘
Video for ‘Trenches’
Video for ‘This Present Darkness’