Review DUEL ‘In Carne Persona’

Rock and metal heavyweight Duel has finished work on their fourth album and ‘In Carne Persona’ is the title of their new disc. Two years after ‘Valley of Shadows’ has been unveiled, ‘In Carne Persona’ opens a next chapter for the band from Austin, Texas.

Duel remain true to themselves and their style on the new album. Heavy riffs, good melody lines and a lot of groove is what the four-piece delivers on the new album. It all begins with the opener ‘Children of the Fire’ which immediately sinks into the depths of the ear canals. ‘The Veil’ is, in contrast, a bit more bulky and takes its time, followed by ‘Anchor’ that shows where the roots of the band are. Texas heat meets the influences of bands like UFO and Thin Lizzy. ‘Bite Black’ is a song that reflects this well.

The longest track is what the guys have reserved for the end of this longplayer. ‘Blood on the Claws’ is with six minutes a bit of a masterpiece at the end. The beginning reminds of Monster Magnet slightly before the song turns into a typical Duel steam hammer.

‘In Carne Persona’ is a well-done record, based on authenticity and a will to record exactly what is relevant for the band at that very moment. Good job Duel.