Desaster - The Arts of Destruction

This really does seem to be the year of killer albums being released. Also a lot of surprises too. The latest album from Desaster, 'The Arts of Destruction' being one of them. I have never been crazy about the band, just another one I have enjoyed from time to time. Then I got this, and it fucking rules!

What I really dig about this album is the variations, especially for something that sits in the black/thrash area. Take the awesome raw thrashing melodies of 'Lacerate (With Rays of Doom)' that is so catchy, or the more old school black metal opening riffs of the title song and 'Phantom Funeral'. Or the dark evil lead at the beginning of 'The Splendour of the Idols' which transcends to chaotic riffing and beats which again transforms to a slower neck snapping riff.

You tend to hear these elements in almost every song which helps for an interesting listen. But I also like the different feel that is presented in the songs. Take the more filthy and trashy 'Queens Of Sodomy', or the more tremolo tearing 'At Hell's Horizons'. Those riffs feel like they are creating a bonfire which is about to spread out through some dirty neighbourhood, making way for the devil to rise up from the ground. Then the help for this destructive piece of work on a whole comes from the drums that beat away like explosions going off in these streets. The snare and cymbals shatter glass and thudding toms will belt down the walls. 

The real stand out for me though comes from the song 'Possessed and Defiled'. An eight and a half minute epic. The first few minutes build up and are lifting and then it starts to gallop away as the devil rides through the neighbourhood on his dark horse to carry on with the destruction that has already begun. Very catchy with some wicked melodies.

Sataniac's vocals are killer also. Such menace in his throat that is deep and raw no matter when he roars or screams. So dark and evil. Like he breathes fire when he screams and blows smoke when he growls. He definitely adds a crazy vibe to this evil sound.

I also have to make mention of the fact that it is nice to listen to an album of theirs that maintains the same sound/production in every song. I found some of their early albums to be a little annoying to listen to as each song on a certain album had different production, one song would have the bass to high in the mix or another song had too much background noise and so forth. Nothing sounds out of place on 'TAoD' and that rules.

When a band with a number of albums under their belt comes out with a new album that is really fucking good, it will make you go and revisit their catalog. 'The Arts of Destruction' has definitely done that for me. When some of the more thrash oriented albums I have been anticipating this year have turned out to be a bit of a let down, at least Desaster has helped taken some of that disappointment away. Killer stuff.

Ikil