Year: 2023
Total Time: 40:45
Label: Metal Blade

SIEGE OF POWER is an international alliance between some familiar faces of the Extreme Metal scene. Responsible for the vocals is the legendary Chris Reifert of AUTOPSY, in the guitar we find Paul Baayens (ASPHYX and THANATOS), in the bass Theo Van Eekelen (GRAND SUPREME BLOOD COURT, ex-HAIL OF BULLETS), and at the drums Bob Bagchus (GRAND SUPREME BLOOD COURT  ex-ASPHYX, ex-SOULBURN). They were first created in 2013 as FIRST CLASS ELITE releasing a split and in 2017 they changed their name to SIEGE OF POWER. Their debut album “Warning Blast” was released in 2018. This year they return to level everything in their path with the album “This Is Tomorrow”.

The record starts in furious rhythms with “Forced Fed Fear”, in which it seems like SLAYER of “Reign In Blood” era jamming along with DEATH of “Scream Bloody Gore”! Some people will find familiar the way Reifert sings the chorus. Moving on with “Sinister Christmas” in aggressive rhythms but with more groove, reminding the fast parts of AYTOPSY. In mid-tempo song “Scavengers”, SIEGE OF POWER reveal their love for VENOM, while in “Zero Containment” we return to raw Death/Thrash Metal vibes. At that point the band decides to calm us down with “Ghosts Of Humanity” in which we listen acoustic parts with more melodic paths. This lasts only two minutes, as suddenly some massive-furious riffs transform the song into a Thrash Metal holocaust!

Next comes “As The World Crumbies” an almost Doom Metal composition with melodic solos and thrilling performance by Chris Reifert. Although I wasn’t expecting it, the album has two more slower songs, the six-minute “Deeper Wounds”, with VENOM and Doom Metal influences, and the riveting “This Is Tommorow” which closes the album. The latter is a dark Death/Doom Metal composition, with Reifert’s desperate screams and the effects of the bells’ sounds creating an atmosphere of horror. The remaining three songs of the album “Oblivion”, “The Devil’s Grasp” and “No Salvation” mix early SLAYER, Punk/Hardcore and Old School Death Metal, with speeds and breakdowns that spread panic and demolish everything!

SIEGE OF POWER with the new album “This Is Tommorow”, deliver lessons on how the Old School Death Metal should be played! In the album we can find influences from VENOM, SLAYER, AYTOPSY, DEATH, SLAUGHTER (I’m talking about the legendary Canadian Death/Thrash Metal band), MOTORHEAD, DISCHARGE, grafted with a pungent and dirty production. The vocals of Chris Reifert, once again, are incredible as he is in a great shape, while in each song he uses a different style! The band characterizes their sound as “Bulldozer Death Metal” and I think this term describes the album perfectly. In a time where the term “Extreme Metal” has lost its meaning, with people trying to convince us that Extreme Metal bands are ARCH ENEMY and SLIPKNOT, albums like “This Is Tommorow” come to remind everyone what the authentic old-school Extreme Metal sounds like!

Rating: 8/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: SIEGE OF POWER – Facebook Page