Emerging from the South Carolina metal scene in 2017, Demiser have chipped away at their blackened thrash craft to make their Metal Blade label debut with sophomore album “Slave To The Scythe”. The five lads who identify themselves individually as Demiser the Demiser, Gravepisser, Phallomancer, Defiler and Infestor are clearly on a mission to create a sonic feast of hell and damnation for your occult inspired pleasure.
“Feast” opens up with an unlikely drum intro that sets up a super fast-paced thrash attack. The vocals are guttural over the taut, frenetic riffage that has a Metallica “Kill ‘Em All” styled raw energy mixed with the sound of early Slayer nastiness. This flows well in the title track which incorporates a more melodic Iron Maiden flavoured tone and shows off the bands’ influences nicely. Vocally, Demiser’s style is heavily guttural and sounds a little like Goatwhore’s Louis Ben Falgoust’s blackened snarl which really adds to the album’s aura. The early tracks lie more firmly in the early ‘80’s Bay Area thrash metal sound. The pace, spikiness and youthful exuberance of Megadeth’s “Killing Is My Business…” era is all over “Carbureted Speed” with its’ horns raised, heavy metal joy blasting away.
A more black metal slant edges in on “Phallomancer the Phallomancer” where the foot comes off the accelerator at times and creates a stronger dramatic effect. The band aim for a moment of light in the form of acoustic instrumental “Interlude” which really seems lost and not entirely necessary given the overall style and vibe of the album. There’s a sameness that starts to creep in generally and a predictability that thankfully is punctuated by more intricate feeling cuts like “Infernal Bust” where shades of Iron Maiden’s first two albums can be heard. There’s no surprise that the closing track is the more lengthy, epic piece. Clocking in at eight minutes, “In Nomine Baphomet” is a strong finish full of Scandinavian, black metal darkness and Bathory inspired evil.
“Slave To The Scythe” is a solid enough album albeit a bit methodical and one dimensional. This is obviously a bunch of die-hard metalheads who love the style of music they play and all the imagery that goes with it, right down to the album artwork. The strength of Demiser and this album lies more in the obvious enthusiasm the band members have and is reflected in what jumps out of the speakers. This is pure get your battle jacket on, grab a beer and raise your horns metal.
(6/10 Johnny Zed)
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