UMUR
"Descendant Upheaval" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Florida based death metal act D.V.C. (Darth Vader's Church). The album was released through Manufacture Sound Output Company in May 1989. D.V.C. formed in 1988 in Tallahassee, Florida and were active until 1993 when they disbanded after releasing the early 1989 "Constrictus Mortum" demo and two full-length studio albums (this one being the first). Three out of the four members would ressurface under the Mortitron monicker and release a 1997 demo before disappearing again.
Many of the tracks from the "Constrictus Mortum" demo appear here in re-recorded versions, featuring a moderately better quality sound production. It would however be a lie telling anyone that "Descendant Upheaval" features a particularly well sounding production job, and while it certainly sounds a little more polished and professional than the case was with the chaotic production values on the "Constrictus Mortum" demo, it´s not what I would deem a professional sounding release, and "Descendant Upheaval" could just as well have been released as a demo.
Stylistically this is as old school thrash infused death metal as it gets. Early Morbid Angel and Nocturnus minus the keyboards are valid references as well as a heavy dose of brutal late 80s thrash metal. The vocals are raw shouting/semi-growling and D.V.C. are one of those acts who play some sort of hybrid death metal and thrash metal style, but aren´t a death/thrash metal act. Upon conclusion "Descendant Upheaval" is a decent quality release, but there is a long way up to the quality and uniqueness of more well known contemporary artists like Deicide, Morbid Angel, Obituary, and Death. A 2.5 - 3 star (55%) rating is fair.