Label: Running Wild Productions
Genre: Progressive/Melodic Death Metal
Length: 57:09
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Scarecrow NWA is an Austrian melodic death metal band formed in 1994 under the name Scarecrow. Scarecrow NWA became the band’s name only in 2005, with the three letters standing for New World Annihilation. To be honest, I had never heard of this band before this year, and it was through their new album, IX, that I discovered them. With this record, the band now has six studio albums, one live album and three EPs. I will take the time later to delve into their past discography, but for now, I will write about what I have listened to recently.
With IX, Scarecrow NWA well-crafted 9-track album with a total running time of 57:09, available in digital and CD formats via the Running Wild Productions label. This is not just a melodic death metal album, but a true concept album inspired by the Nine Circles of Hell described in Dante Alighieri's Inferno, the first part of the monumental Divine Comedy written in the 14th century.
The album stands out musically for its complex and nuanced composition. The tracks constantly alternate between changing tempos and block structures, where different instrumental layers overlap and intertwine. The result is melodic death metal heavily influenced by black metal, but which also explores progressive and technical territory in many sections. The vocals are particularly varied. They include deep growls, higher-pitched, shrill vocals borrowed from black metal, but also a few passages of clean singing – a fairly modern choice in death metal. The production deserves special mention: modern and clear, it perfectly highlights the density and power of the music.
Among the highlights of the album, I (Limbo), after an atmospheric intro that exudes a certain mystery, I was captivated by a rhythm that ignites at high speed, carried by superb melodies, and the solo at 3:59 struck me as simply masterful. On II (Lust), the hellish opening exudes the influence of black metal, with powerful, sharp vocals, and I must say that the solos at 2:33 and 3:30 are among the most striking on the record. III (Gluttony), meanwhile, exudes an old-school feel from 0:41 onwards, enhanced by modern, impeccable production. On IV (Greed), after a catchy intro, I was taken by one of the most powerful screams on the album at 0:13, prolonged at 1:56, before the composition plunged me straight into headbanging mode at 3:16, with drums dominating the soundscape until that relentless burst at 4:04. On V (Wrath), it was the bass line at 4:01 that stood out to me, followed by catchy melodies, and the transition at 4:45 immediately reminded me of thrash metal.
On VI (Heresy), I found a nice balance between fast rhythms accompanied by furious vocals, as at 2:44, and calmer passages that almost evoke the spirit of classic heavy metal, with emotionally charged melodies starting at 2:58. This track also features one of the longest and most memorable screams on the album at 6:41, before concluding with a furious vocal performance, typical of black metal. With VII (Violence), the vocal performance reaches its peak, while the instrumental section stands as a true display of strength, and I can easily picture how powerful this track would be live. On VIII (Fraud), I really enjoyed the melodic section at 2:02, then a second one at 4:14 that leaves no one indifferent; on the other hand, the breaks seemed a little intrusive in the soundscape – a personal feeling. The final track, IX (Treachery) concludes the album with another demonstration of instrumental power and vocals in the foreground, punctuated by a surprising clean vocal section and a memorable and perfectly placed solo at 4:59.
In my opinion, IX is an ambitious and rich album, where Scarecrow NWA manages to blend aggressiveness and melodies with impressive mastery. With its strong concept, vocal variety and well-crafted compositions, the band has created a remarkable work that should appeal to fans of melodic death metal as well as those seeking more progressive and technical passages.