DESPISED ICON — The Ills of Modern Man (review)

DESPISED ICON — The Ills of Modern Man album cover Album · 2007 · Deathcore Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"The Ills of Modern Man" is the 3rd full-length studio album by Canadian deathcore act Despised Icon. The album was released through Century Media Records in May 2007. There´s been one lineup change since the release of "The Healing Process (2005)" as guitarist Yannick St-Amand has been replaced by Al Glassman. Yannick St-Amand still acts as producer on "The Ills of Modern Man" though (Andy Sneap is credited for mastering and mixing the album), which he also did on "The Healing Process (2005)".

...and regarding the sound production, it´s a powerful beast. Clear, brutal, and packing a ton of punch. If you´re looking for gritty and murky sound productions, look elsewhere. Musically Despised Icon more or less continue where they left off on "The Healing Process (2005)". Which means brutal, technical, and groove laden deathcore featuring breakdowns and three vocal styles: Brutal growling, an aggressive hardcore vocal style, and piggy squeals. Fans of the genre probably love the latter type vocals, but to more casual listeners they are most likely an aquired taste. If you can get through a track like "Furtive Monologue" and not be slightly annoyed by the piggy squeal vocals, this is an album for you.

The band are very well playing, and everything is delivered with fierce conviction and clinical precision (any track will do, but just check out the incredible playing on the opening track "In the Arms of Perdition"). The two vocalists in the band compliment each other well, and the vocal part of the music features nice variation. The material is generally well written although there isn´t enough variation between tracks or catchy hooks for the album to be memorable beyond it´s playing time. This is first and foremost a technical, brutal, and groovy listen, which will leave you breathless while it´s playing. It´s certainly effective in that regard. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is warranted.
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