After a short fragment from a movie Heaven Shall Burn (HSB) unleashes a ferocious mixture of death metal, thrash metal and hardcore. Since their founding in ’96, HSB released two full-lengths (“Asunder” and “Whatever It May Take”), one mcd (“In Battle…) and two split albums (with Fall Of Serenity and Caliban). This album is in fact a re-release of their debut mcd, but now released through Circulation Records. After a few line-up changes, HSB is now: Marcus (vocals), Eric (bass), Maik (guitar), Patrick (guitar) and Matthias (drums). Some bands that come close to HSB’s sound are Darkest Hour, Caliban, At The Gates and The Haunted. “In Battle…” offers us, besides the eight songs from the initial release on Deeds Of Revolution Records, four extra songs: “Harmony Dies”, “An Ethic”, “The Fallen” and “The Chaos Before”. All four songs are demos from the period between 1996 and 1997. Fast thrashy guitar riffs, a drummer on speed and hardcore vocals alternated with occasionally appearing movie fragments characterizes HSB’s songs.

Recommendations are opener “Partisan2002” and “Competition In Hatred”. The lyrics deal with subjects such as war, racism and different ways of living your life such as Veganism. HSB don’t see themselves as representatives or preachers, but they just want people to recognize these problems. With these subjects the band has earned a lot of respect in the straightedge/hardcore scene. But considering their metal influenced music they can easily fit in the world of metal. The artwork of “In Battle...” is great. The album sleeve features sceneries of war and powerlessness. Contrary to this great artwork, the production of this record is a bit thin, but it’s the music that speaks. This album is a great release for the fans, but for people who don’t know HSB I recommend their latest, more heavy and melodic offering “Whatever It May Take”.