DEKAPITATOR — The Storm Before the Calm (review)

DEKAPITATOR — The Storm Before the Calm album cover Album · 2007 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"The Storm Before the Calm" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US thrash/speed metal act Dekapitator. The album was released through Relapse Records in July 2007. It´s the successor to "We Will Destroy... You Will Obey!!!" from 1999, so the band had an 8 year gap between album releases. Dekapitator was formed in 1996 by Matt Harvey (Exhumed, Gruesome) and Col Jones (Cretin, Exhumed) with the deliberate goal to play old school thrash/speed metal, because they were fed up with much of the contemporary music scene, and just wanted to return to their roots and play some raw and gritty thrash/speed metal.

Dekapitator succeeded quite well in doing that on "We Will Destroy... You Will Obey!!! (1999)" and continue to do so on "The Storm Before the Calm". The 8 year gap between the two releases are audible in the slightly more sophisticated arrangements (in particular the multi-harmony guitar sections, which occur on some tracks), but it´s details because the overall sound is still raw and gritty thrash/speed metal influenced greatly by the seminal releases in the genre from the early- mid 80s. Dekapitator aren´t just a clone band though, as they are one of those "retro" sounding artists, who deliver their music with a burning passion and great conviction, which sometimes make them outshine their influences.

The guitar riffs are fast, the solos blistering (and the above mentioned guitar harmonies are quite delicious), the rhythm section hard pounding and organic, and Harvey has a raw voice and a commanding delivery. With song titles like "Toxic Sanctuary", "Deathstrike Command", and "Earthscorcher", we´re also firmly placed in traditional thrash/speed metal territory when it comes to the lyrics and imagery, and fans of the genre should find lots to enjoy here. "The Storm Before the Calm" features a raw and powerful sound production too, so upon conclusion it´s a high quality sophomore album by Dekapitator and definitely worth the 8 year wait. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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