For over the past 3 years, I’ve been getting anxious whenever independent bands send us material to review. This is probably because of disappointments after high expectations in the past. What does one do if a band really wants to get reviewed, but their material isn’t up to standard? How do you tell them, after they’ve spent hours and money on recording and mastering something that they themselves as a band are collectively proud of, that they suck?  How does anyone that supports the metal scene do such a thing without dying a little inside?

This sense of anxiety could simply just be that I’m not confident enough with the fact that there are bands out there with balls. Balls to go out there and release a debut album without having to be signed to a record label. Independent bands risk so much. They risk humiliation, rejection and sheer embarrassment. Yet there are so many out there

Octainium are a band that wrote and produced an album through Studio Silverfrog. They continued and submitted their debut called “The Prophecy” to us for review. Once again, the anxiety re-spawned… I turned up the volume and inserted their CD…

‘The Prophecy’ progressively kicks off with an intro which seamlessly crosses over to “Exorcism” (track 2), a fast paced song that is the perfect introduction to Maritz’ remarkable heavy vocals. Not only do the first two tracks showcase the fine recording quality and professionally mixed composition of the album, but also gives existing, non and potential fans a good introductory experience as to what this band has to offer.

I for one would pay to see them gig. Octainium are one of those rare few start up bands that have heavy and tuneful choruses without destroying it with metalcore screaming. They have a good combination of  heavy riffs and drum patterns as well as a diverse range of melodies packed into one unit.

I failed to notice any outstanding breakdowns over the first couple of tracks but ‘Enemy’ had one appropriately good breakdown that had me thinking… What would an Octainium song sound like without the softer tuneful vocals? Would it make or break the band? At the moment and judging by the quality recording, mastering and cool songs, Octainium, for me seem as if they are yet to strike that sweet spot with the vocal work. Either scrap the harmonious singing completely and stick to the heavy or turn the melodious parts up a bit more and make them a tad… grungier? But I have no doubt that they will achieve this and and go even heavier with their second album. I look forward to hearing more.

I am happy to have this album as a part of my metal collection and I WILL be giving it a few hundred more listens before shelving it! Octainium in my humble opinion, fucking rocks!

8/10 Metal Horns! 

Check out Octainium and listen to some of their tracks here. ‘The Prophecy’ will be available on Headbang Today’s ‘The Revolt Store’ soon!