By Andrew Bansal
German blackened thrash metal band Desaster are back with a new length studio album. Throughout their career that has now spanned more than two decades, these cult heroes have worked with great passion and determination, sticking to their guns even through line-up changes and other problems. They have a multitude of demo tapes, singles, EPs, split releases and vinyl-only releases to their name, along with seven full-length albums. Their newest effort, titled “The Arts Of Destruction”, was released on February 28th via Metal Blade Records, and is now available everywhere. Their first full length release since “Satan’s Soldiers Syndicate”, which came out in 2007, this new album is definitely worth the wait.
The war-like intro leads into the hellish title track, which sets the atmosphere for the album and from then on, it delivers one killer tune after another. Every one of these tunes is possessed by demonic brutality, which comes mainly from Sataniac’s vocals and Infernal’s epic guitar work. But the duo is also well supported by a thunderous rhythm section consisting of Odin on the bass and Tormentor on drums. Together the quartet have created one hell of an album, in the truest sense of the term.
Of course, the musical style throughout the album is in accordance with its extremely dark vibe, but there is an appreciable degree of variety in the music, as the album shifts from outright black metal to straight-up Teutonic thrash, and even a couple of quiet, atmospheric segments like the ones in “Possessed And Defiled”, and in the Outro. This variety keeps me interested as a listener for the entirety of the 44-minute long album.
In terms of the production, I think the album is polished enough to do justice to Desaster’s musicianship on these tunes, but at the same time, its rawness successfully captures the vibe they would have wanted to convey to the listener. Besides the music, I really think the cover artwork is the best I’ve seen this year, and probably one of the most devilish pieces of art I’ve ever seen. It draws me towards itself to such an extent that I have a strong desire to own this album on vinyl, and will do so at the earliest possible opportunity. And once again, I need to thank Metal Blade Records for bringing forth bands such as Desaster and Angel Witch and for giving them the attention and support they deserve.
Desaster’s latest full-length effort is the epitome of blackened thrash metal, and is a must-have for fans of the genre.
Rating: 9/10
Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. The Arts Of Destruction
3. Lacerate With Hands Of Doom
4. Splendour Of The Idols
5. Phantom Funeral
6. Queens Of Sodomy
7. At Hell’s Horizon
8. Troops Of Heathens – Graves Of Saints
9. Possessed And Defiled
10.Beyond Your Grace
11.Outro
Record Label: Metal Blade
Release Dates:
Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy: February 24th 2012
Europe: February 27th 2012
North America: February 28th 2012
Links:
http://www.total-desaster.com
http://www.facebook.com/666Desaster666