Melbourne four-piece Desecrator, release their beast of a debut, To The Gallows. Relentless thrash lets loose with album opener and title-track To The Gallows. The guitar duo of Scottie Anning and frontman Riley Strong unleash bone crushing riffs to the galloping bass of Gerad Biesboe and the chaotic drum blasts of Jared Roberts. Strong sings about hangings with the group of talented musicians coming across as a cross between Iron Maiden and Death Angel.
The classic metal sound gives the album a timeless stance with the wrath of ten thunderous tracks including a familiar bonus track that will be familiar to some, notably older fans. The guitar solos in Desert for Days and use of acoustic guitar are a highlight. Strong let’s rip some high pitched squeals to the chugging riffs or Red Steel Nation as Roberts keeps the pedal to the medal with guitar solos and plummeting bass awakening the metal gods.
As I die is a breath of fresh air with its acoustic guitar, for the most part, making it one dark ballad to embrace. Other standouts include the brain stomp of Serpents Return with its grooving bass groove and the epic Brain scan which builds up to be a monster in the making with spoken word setting the scene. Classic metal is blended with thrash, the only way Desecrator know how which is by kicking ultimate ass.
Bonus track Balancing on a Blade makes for a good bonus, being a fan favourite off the sold out 10″ LP release Down To Hell (2013) Recorded at both Toyland and Goatsound Studios a crisp sound is given making the debut one bone splitting thrash fest to behold.
4/5 stars
Album available here:
http://www.nervegas.com.au/desecrator
https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/to-the-gallows-bonus-track-version/id1203103524
