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Dew-Scented – Intermination – Album Review

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Dew-Scented
Intermination
Metal Blade Records
Release Date: Out Now
Review by Salla Harjula

It’s German, it’s thrash metal, it’s fast, it’s aggressive, it’s chock full of melodic riffs, it’s got the obligatory brutal vocals, its musicianship is rigorous and it all ticks like gothic clockwork. Leif Jensen’s Dew-Scented is nearly a quarter of a century old and they are clearly not about to swerve from course on their tenth studio album.

You like death-inspired thrash in Swedish style? You probably know this band already. You’ve heard their stuff before. Did you like it? You will like this then.

It’s challenging to write a review on this one as a stand-alone piece. Not because it’s bad or mediocre – in its own genre it’s pretty great. But it’s the sort of stuff that you can’t help but feel you’ve heard before. And with all these quite legendary similar bands to choose from… The Haunted, Arch Enemy, Hatesphere, anyone?

The above mentioned bands made a name for themselves because they do a really traditional genre in a unique way that makes them stand out from all the others who are treading that same path. Dew-Scented, I don’t know. What makes them distinctive? Being German? Oh damn, Kreator already got that down, didn’t they?

My first love in metal was exactly this type of deathy thrash though, so at the same time I do enjoy it. Affect Gravity has guitar hooks that are positively compelling, and single pick On A Collision Course is a head-banging gem for sure.

But as the same neat tricks repeat over and over, it becomes a bit exhausting. And don’t be fooled into thinking that just because it’s fast music, the album is compact: this one is long, just too long, with 13 songs. The limited edition digipak comes with two extra songs on top. Is it self-indulgent or a cool gift to the dedicated fan? You decide.

 

 

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