| Summary: Combining the pros of the black and thrash genres, Destroyer 666 have skillfully grafted an album that will easily embrace those who listen to it. |
9 of 9 thought this review was well written
“How is it that I have become the Hunter and the Hunted, and thought has become my enemy?”
Destroyer 666 is one of those rarities in music that doesn’t appear often. Mixing the atmospheric-inducing abilities of black metal and the power/speed of thrash with a hint of melody, Destroyer 666 are one of the most interesting bands to emerge in our generation. There have been others who have stepped foot into the world of blackened thrash (such as Desaster), but none of them even touch the majestic display that Destroyer 666 has put forth with “Phoenix Rising”.
Every song on “Phoenix Rising” is perfected slab of brutal and engaging blackened thrash. KK Warslut, the vocalist, emits dark growls with pinpoint precision over Shrapnel’s imaginative riffs, whose backbone seems to be rooted in thrash but mixes in a touch of splendor to add to the atmosphere. “Rise of the Predator” and “Phoenix Rising” are quick one-two black metal punches to the face, reminiscent of the “Blood Fire Death” era Bathory, complete with hammering drums, pulverizing riffs, and screeching vocals. When Warslut takes aim at our society on the blistering short “The Last Revelation” with “It's not enough to be in love, We hide behind the word”, Shrapnel backs him with flowing leads. The 7:30 ‘epic’, “I Am the Wargod (Ode to the Battle Slain)”, is a brilliantly constructed work of art, incorporating a strong melo-death influence and solos in full blitzkrieg mode.
Truth be told, there is not one dull moment to be found on “Phoenix Rising”, as every track seems to feed off of the success of the last. Every song has more than its own share of glory moments, such as “Lone Wolf Winter”, whose fantastic lyrics (also including the line at the top of this review) change back and forth rapidly from dark messages (“Black days and blacker Nights gets the gift of the second sight”) to quick, outlandish bursts (“I think what I need is a Bitch, don't you?”), all the while being locked together by ferocious drumming and destructively beautiful riffs. Whether it is the frantic lead work on the hard-hitting “The Eternal Glory of War”, the raw power behind Warslut’s vocals on the title track, or the downright thrashing on “The Birth of Tragedy”, there’s always something to look forward to on “Phoenix Rising”.
If there’s really anything that might damper the experience presented here, it’s the disappointing fact that there are only 8 songs. However, you get something completely innovative, so most will be hard pressed to hold it against Destroyer 666. The usual qualms of repetitiveness and lack of a bass also don’t hold any ground here. Each song is sculpted individually, never once using the same mold. This is almost completely unheard of for a modern metal band to do, since most new material is simply rehashed. The bass, which is usually a moderate irk, isn’t so due to Bullet Eater’s strong presence on the album. Not only is he audible, but he is constantly branching off to add another level (instrumentally) to the songs, such as on “The Birth of Tragedy”.
“Phoenix Rising” is an album that everyone should experience. For those who lean more towards black metal, they will find comfort in the dark atmosphere that Destroyer 666 creates, while the thrashers will take shelter under the brutal salvo of riffs. Find this, and find this now; you will not be disappointed if you like your metal raw and unrelenting.
Overall – 4.5/5
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Excellent review.
This sounds cool.
Digging: lots of stuff -
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This sounds like a fantastic cd to beast out to before a game or before pummeling somebody into the ground. Ill go check it on myspace. Good review.
Digging: Danko Jones - Never Too Loud
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I've heard a few songs on this, kinda like Goatwhore except alot better.
Good review.
Digging: Enslaved - Eld
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I LOVE this album
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these guys always kinda impressed me, even tho Im not too much of a Blackish Metal fan, maybe its there Melodic Death/Thrashiness is what I like
Digging: For Today - Ekklesia
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Sound interesting,
/my pos vote
Digging: Windir - Likferd
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Listening to some of this right now, and it's pretty good.
Excellent review too.
Digging: Paramore - All We Know Is Falling | | | Album Rating: 4.5
When I first listened to this, I found it enjoyable. After a weeks worth of listening, I freaking love it.
Digging: Unleashed - Hammer Battalion | | |
Cheesy band name. But if this deserves a five I guess I should look into it.
Digging: Opeth - Blackwater Park
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Band name is so lame, seriously. Album is soooo much different.
| | | Album Rating: 3
A 5/5!? Sounds interesting, I like black/thrash most of the time but it depends how much black metal there is. Which one is more overpowering in this stuff? Thrash or black metal? Either way, awesome work. Cool album cover but as you said, corny band name.
Digging: Panzerchrist - Bello | | |
Agreed with Confessed, I thought these dudes were laaame cuz of the band name...but if this is a five, no harm checking it out. Great review too
Digging: Opeth - Watershed
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Good review, but these guys sound like they'd be awful (to me, that is.)
This Message Edited On 09.12.07
Digging: Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Robin, it's really like a perfect mix, so one doesn't necessarily overpower the other. But black metal fans will friggin' dig this though...
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The production on the drums suck.
Tracks 4, 6, and 8 were awesome...but the rest wasn't too memorable.
Digging: Opeth - Watershed | | | Album Rating: 4.5
Thor, you're rating of below a 4 for this album saddens me 
Lone Wolf Winter is sooo amazing.
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Remember how I gave Sodom's M-16 a low rating at first? Albums you send me always tend to get better with age. We'll see. 
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Is this better than Cold Steel For An Iron Age?
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I got this Thursday and I'm still not sure what to think of it.
Digging: Intestine Baalism - Banquet In The Darkness
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Dont think its as good as Cold Steel For An Iron Age, but its still very good. I love I Am The Wargod (Ode To The Battle Slain) and Rise Of The Predator.
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