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Long-running French Death/Thrash Metal act No Return (they started out in 1984 as Evil Power, released just one demo in 1987, and changed to the current name in 1989) have recorded nine studio albums over the course of their career, the latest called Fearless Walk to Rise.

No Return has had trouble with their integrity due to some musical metamorphoses from one album to the next. Their first two albums, Psychological Torment (released in 1990) and Contamination Rises (released in 1992) are still considered their best by many, offering full-blooded, technical Death Metal. Since then, their musical "evolution" has been so and so at best.

This new album is actually a very solid effort from the No Return camp, I must admit. One of No Return's trademarks has always been virtuoso-type technical playing skills and Fearless Walk to Rise seems to underline this stronger than ever. The songs stick in your ears pretty darn well and this French quintet does marry their Death/Thrash incredibly well and even takes a melodic, Gothenburg turn. It may be nitpicking to say the album sounds too modern but that is the approach No Return has adopted and it fits them really well, in my opinion.

Fearless Walk to Rise is definitely No Return's best recording in many years. Just get it and be amazed!