Review Summary: Destroyer 666 recorded in a trash-can.
As far as songwriting goes, Assaulter's
Salvation Like Destruction sounds exactly like it should. That is to say it is an unrelenting blend of black and thrash metal, an obvious result with the band featuring ex-Destroyer 666 member Simon Berserker on guitars, bass and vocals. The blend works extremely well: it sounds almost ageless with it's static-y leads, tin can drums and snarled vocals. The problem is the album also sounds uncompromisingly shi
tty half of the time. It sounds almost spliced together. The vocals are relatively clear, prominent and mixed. The drums and guitar...not so much, and you can forget about any low-end. Not only is Berserker's work on the four-string absolutely inaudible, but the drums sound as though they're nothing more than a snare and a crash. It's not that
Salvation Like Destruction shouldn't be raw: nobody expects (or wants) Rick Rubin behind the mixer. The problem is that
Salvation Like Destruction substitutes raw vigour and anger for a treble-y, occasionally incomprehensible mess.
In spite of the fact that it sounds like it was recorded inside of tin can,
Salvation Like Destruction still manages to get its point across in a mostly successful fashion. From the opening aggression of “Talon and Teeth” to the mid-paced, expansive “Glory Alone”, Assaulter's buzzsaw guitar-work, tobacco scorned vocals remain a constant reminder of just how vicious these guys could be with the right execution. Even with the wrong execution they manage to come out on top. It won't blow any minds, but
Salvation Like Destruction might break a couple faces in trying.
