Occams Razor - Plains of Oblivion
Self released
Heavy/Power Metal
3 songs (18:39)
Release year: 2005
Reviewed by Jason
Surprise of the month

Ever since I began hosting my radio show here in Montreal I’ve been receiving discs by Canadian metal bands by the ton. Just like all new bands in any genre of music trying to promote themselves, some are absolutely horrid, some mediocre and run of the mill, but once in a while a select few really take me off guard – what’s sometimes more surprising than the music itself is that some of these bands come from places that you’d think metal would be the last think to come out of that province or city. Hailing from Calgary, Occams Razor is one of the exceptions that took me off guard and are making me rethink my perception of metal in Canada.

Occams Razor’s 3 song EP titled Plains of Oblivion is their first effort to date and can be described as a dose of old-school heavy metal infused with a tinge of power, progressive and neo-classical. Like most debuts, the production isn’t top-notch, and the vocals haven’t reached the point of maturity that one can say they flow seamlessly with the music, but what earns this band my hails is the exceptional style in musicianship and melody that seems to be uncommon in Canadian metal. What I mean is that its worthwhile listening to a few lackluster moments to be bombarded with some lengthy killer-riff and solo laden interludes. The best example of this would be on the first track titled Destruction, where although the rhythm and vocals are fairly par you can’t help but thrash your head when the instrumental sections take the stage - the first minute or so and four and half minute mark are worth noting. Another example is the rippin’ yet groovy sound of the soloing on the tune Hope in Death, where the listener is treated to some furious head banding riffage a-la Gamma Ray or Helloween.

In all, Occams Razor has a lot going for it but needs to be vamped up vocally if it wants to earn a name among the European power metal goliaths. What truly carries the band in my opinion is the lead guitars and awesome semi-progressive elements that add both power and color to the album. I am anxiously awaiting a full-length album by these rockin’ Calgarians, and may their future be laden with even more killer riffs and solos so that Canada may finally raise their status in the Heavy/Power Metal genre.

Killing Songs :
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There are 1 replies to this review. Last one on Fri Oct 07, 2005 12:34 am
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