Desolator - Demo 2011
Having been involved with the UK thrash metal scene for a long time now, I'm no stranger to unsigned talent. Hell, I'll happily acknowledge that the UK has the best upcoming bands in the whole world - a statement I make not out of patriotism, but from pure observation. This said, for every great band you'll find 2,000 shitty ones, and 90% of the time they'll all sound exactly the same... so what does this have to do with Desolator? Well, despite being as original as dry toast, they're exceptionally good fun.
Yes, you read that right - as much as I hate to admit it, it IS possible to be generic as hell and be an excellent band at the same time these days. Desolator know what a lot of young thrash metal fans want, and they give it to them no questions asked - opening track 'Desolator' is almost anthemic in it's simple chorus of "We! Are! DE-SO-LATOR!" and the punchy 'Beer Brain' features a mandatory thrash bass intro that really brings a nostalgic tear to your eye. Most of their influences are about as subtle as a kick to the nuts - there're blatent nods towards Sacred Reich, Municipal Waste, D.R.I, Anthrax and fellow UK thrashers Gama Bomb, but also a slight vibe from some of the 'heavier' bands from yesteryear with Sodom, Vio-lence and Darkness being three that sprung to my mind. All the drums, bass and guitars are at the top of a talent hierarchy and Jamie Brooks' vocals are fitting for such a collection of tracks, sounding like a bastard mix of Schmier and Gama Bomb's Philly Byrne at times. It's just a fantastic little bundle, topped off at the end with a cover of tankard's '(Empty) Tankard' which has Jamie altering the melodies slightly to give it the Desolator stamp of individuality - the only things that have stopped this from getting full marks are the generic-ness of it all (not to everyone's taste) and the production. The production isn't horrendous, to a degree it almost feels like an '80's demo recording, but in 2011 you'd expect everything to be less muddy. The snare is overwhelming and the bass engulfs almost all of the guitars throughout the demo, making it a bit difficult upon the first listen.
These few flaws aside, Desolator's first output is quite a joyous little bundle of talent. It's nothing new, and you'll easily find the same sort of thing on pretty much any other thrash band's albums, but this is a great demo that has brilliant foundations to be built upon. Desolator are more than worthy of your attention!
Yes, you read that right - as much as I hate to admit it, it IS possible to be generic as hell and be an excellent band at the same time these days. Desolator know what a lot of young thrash metal fans want, and they give it to them no questions asked - opening track 'Desolator' is almost anthemic in it's simple chorus of "We! Are! DE-SO-LATOR!" and the punchy 'Beer Brain' features a mandatory thrash bass intro that really brings a nostalgic tear to your eye. Most of their influences are about as subtle as a kick to the nuts - there're blatent nods towards Sacred Reich, Municipal Waste, D.R.I, Anthrax and fellow UK thrashers Gama Bomb, but also a slight vibe from some of the 'heavier' bands from yesteryear with Sodom, Vio-lence and Darkness being three that sprung to my mind. All the drums, bass and guitars are at the top of a talent hierarchy and Jamie Brooks' vocals are fitting for such a collection of tracks, sounding like a bastard mix of Schmier and Gama Bomb's Philly Byrne at times. It's just a fantastic little bundle, topped off at the end with a cover of tankard's '(Empty) Tankard' which has Jamie altering the melodies slightly to give it the Desolator stamp of individuality - the only things that have stopped this from getting full marks are the generic-ness of it all (not to everyone's taste) and the production. The production isn't horrendous, to a degree it almost feels like an '80's demo recording, but in 2011 you'd expect everything to be less muddy. The snare is overwhelming and the bass engulfs almost all of the guitars throughout the demo, making it a bit difficult upon the first listen.
These few flaws aside, Desolator's first output is quite a joyous little bundle of talent. It's nothing new, and you'll easily find the same sort of thing on pretty much any other thrash band's albums, but this is a great demo that has brilliant foundations to be built upon. Desolator are more than worthy of your attention!
1. Desolator
2. Mandatory Mosh
3. Beer Brain
4. Toxic Assault
5. (Empty) Tankard (cover Tankard)
2. Mandatory Mosh
3. Beer Brain
4. Toxic Assault
5. (Empty) Tankard (cover Tankard)
Self released
Reviewer: Dave Ingram Jr.
Dec 3, 2011
Dec 3, 2011
Next review:
Sacrimony - ... And Abyss He Created
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