review by: Roberto Martinelli

This awesome German metalcore outfit has released a follow-up to their scathing, pummeling Asunder. We reviewed that album last issue, so you might want to look back on it, as this new album is basically more of the same. If you're feeling super lazy, Heaven Shall Burn plays an angry, mostly mid-paced form of death metal and hardcore. Sometimes the band sounds like Bolt Thrower with short hair and a hardcore screamer. The overall vibe is on par with the pissed off attack of Slayer's best moments. At other times acoustic guitar is thrown in to the mix to give a semi-breather from the angst.

At the forefront of the passionate delivery is the vocalist, who delivers exemplary screams punctuated with some growls here and there. I could listen to this guy scream all day. The last track on the new album features all melodic singing. It's quite good. Will this be the future of this band?

If you are familiar with this band, Whatever It May Take isn't quite up to the sheer level of ferocity or interest of Asunder, but it's definitely in the same league. You'd be doing yourself a favor by checking out any of this excellent band's work.