Angry Metal Guy
Deep in the dark chasm of extreme metal lies a hidden gem: Destruktor. Led by vocalist and guitarist “Glenn Destruktor,” these filthy Australian miscreants have been spewing their raw and blasphemous compositions since 1997, crafting a sound that lies somewhere between the blasting blackened death of Abominator and the blistering blackened thrash of Nocturnal Graves. What sets them apart from the rest of the horde, however, is their excellent songwriting. More so than similar groups, Destruktor know how to make things memorable, with many of their tracks containing clear hooks, distinct riffs, and accessible verse-chorus structures. These traits helped make their 2009 debut Nailed and its 2015 follow-up Opprobrium two of my favorite extreme metal albums ever (and their 2004 EP Nuclear Storm was no slouch, either). Crafting such strong compositions apparently takes time, however, as it’s now been nine long years since we’ve last heard from Glenn and his demonic cohorts. When their third album Indomitable was finally announced, it immediately became my most anticipated record of 2024. But does it reach the high bar set by its predecessors?
If nothing else, Indomitable shows that the band have not grown soft in their time away from the studio. After ostensibly referencing Hell Awaits with faint whispers of “join us,” the opener “Speaking with the Dead” blasts forward on ragged, belligerent riffs that soon give way to squirming tremolo lines and roars of the track title. Everything sounds just as bestial and aggressive as before, including Glenn himself. Somehow the man’s vocals have only gotten better with age, as his guttural approach is as powerful as ever while sounding even more intelligible. The title track further hammers home that the band are just as extreme as they’ve always been, with churning chords and infernal progressions that aren’t too far removed from Blasphemy.
The group haven’t gone flaccid in the songwriting department, either. Take the aforementioned “Speaking with the Dead,” which supports its chorus with a clever, sinister riff that alternately ascends and descends before it reinvents itself in the song’s final minute. Later tracks like “Better Off Aborted” and “Beyond the Bleakness” use hooks that are equally sharp, while “Holy Orgy” is especially captivating and perverse with its bouts of raspier vocals and quick, devilish riffing. Amidst the throttling blast beats that propel much of the album, Destruktor add variety with slower moments that make things feel even more unholy. The bridge of “Holy Orgy” employs wailing notes and sluggish tempos to conjure a particularly menacing aura, while the slower section in the middle of the title track sounds tortured and harrowing. If there’s any downside to such passages, it’s that they make the relentless hammering of “Writhe in Pain” seem almost uneventful in comparison.
The biggest drawback to Indomitable is that, as a whole, it feels less adventurous and dynamic than the band’s prior albums. While the fiery core of Destruktor’s sound is still here, this record lacks the occasional acoustic flourishes, extended buildups, and grander moments that helped make Nailed and Opprobrium such outstanding releases. The closing track, “The Path to Lucifer,” makes this especially apparent, as the song forgoes any real attempt at an epic ending and instead fades out on a slow riff that’s outclassed by much of the material that preceded it. Fortunately, the track itself is still a success, as the fast and violent riffing earlier in its runtime is some of the most vicious and inspired on the album. Ripping through its eight songs in just 33 minutes, Indomitable is also both tightly composed and consistently engaging, with Glenn constantly firing off great riffs that blend the malevolence of black metal, the heaviness of death metal, and the energy of thrash. When things are less wild, bassist Chris McEwin steps up, unveiling moist bass lines that deviate from the riffs and bubble like molten metal just below them. The production emphasizes the sharp guitars while ensuring everything sounds harsh, clear, and natural. In particular, the performance of longtime drummer Jahred Mawdsley hits all the harder because it isn’t overly processed.
Following up Nailed and Opprobrium was always going to be an uphill battle, but Destruktor manage to succeed by once again skillfully balancing their signature catchiness and fiery fury. While I hope the band spread their black wings a bit more widely on future releases, Indomitable nonetheless shows them continuing their infernal crusade in fine form, delivering a record that should undoubtedly please both curious newcomers and longtime fans alike.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Hells Headbangers Records
Websites: destruktor.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/destruktorofficial
Releases Worldwide: October 18th, 2024
The post Destruktor – Indomitable Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.
Tue Oct 15 15:56:52 GMT 2024