Review on Verdict Denied - Condamned (2009)

Let’s try to turn back time... Back in the year of 1994 when the newly established band called Verdict started playing some covers of favorite bands and also started composing some songs of their own. After releasing 2 demos as Verdict and a few line-up changes, it was time to change name, change line-up, but it wasn’t time for musical direction changing! A band fully influenced by American thrash scene by bands like Paradox, Testament, Megadeth, Metallica, Annihilator, Whiplash but also from tech-speed metal bands like Watchtower, Mekong Delta and even some Sanctuary! The influences stayed, but now we are talking for a more modern way of thrashing. Hello... it’s the 00’s, and Verdict Denied are here to prove it! After having released 1 demo and the same mixed and mastered by Jeff Waters (Annihilator) released as promo for labels it’s now time for them to have their first ever official release under the name “Condamned”! An album with 8 songs, of which, the last 3 are the ones from their promo, just enough for some head banging maniacs

As they did for their promo, mixed and mastered by Jeff Waters and produced by themselves. There is still something that I’m not fully satisfied with the production and especially the way some vocals and some solos are heard, but I can surely say that it is loud and clear! But I have to make a special reference to the way the guitars sound and the way they are “played”. Fast and technical enough, to grab you by your ear, and MAKE you listen to this album.

Cannot really pick up just one of these songs as best or favorite, tough choice for everyone I believe! But an easy choice for me is to pick among the best of this album, "Battle within". A quite clever composition with a melodic chorus and with some female back vocals used only as atmosphere in the song and making it more dramatic! An also good song is for sure “Dark twisted laughter”...Speedy intro with a lot of polyphonies (as in the whole album!)

All of the songs are round 5, 6 minutes, with “Black tango” making an exception with its 08:19 minutes.

In my opinion a very good first attempt from them after all these years of waiting, but it could be even better, a band very promising, even after 15 years!