DEMONTAGE (The Principal Extinction) CD
The second album from Canada's DEMONTAGE is really a unique beast. Released in 2010 by Shadow Kingdom Records, 'The Principal Extinction' combines different metal styles and transforms them into a coherent package. Here we find elements from thrash and black metal, but also a lot of ingredients from classic heavy metal. All this is presented in a sharp-edged, rough production that emphasizes the aggressiveness and underground spirit of the band. And last, but not least, there is the exceptional vocal style of guitarist Spatilomantis who put the lid on top of the songs. This guy seems to be unpredictable and you never know what is going to happen next. His insane singing is as varied as the whole album and suits excellently to DEMONTAGE's untamed metal assault.
Due to the song length, ranging from six minutes to almost ten minutes, there's a slightly progressive feeling within the tracks, but I would never call DEMONTAGE a progressive metal band, even if their arrangements are a bit more complicated. DEMONTAGE is simply too straight-forward. What particularly appealed to me is the fact that 'The Principal Extinction' has a strong own identity. It sometimes seems as if DEMONTAGE have invented a new sound, which obviously isn't the truth, but this album can easily create the impression. Of course, it's not easy to digest and one needs some time to be able to grasp this multifaceted work. If that happens, then 'The Principal Extinction' unfolds its crude beauty and it's hard to resist the charm of adventurously performed tracks such as 'Satan of Self (The Warrior) & Seer of Truths (The Conjurer)' or 'The Malignant Paradigm'.
Actually it's needless to say that DEMONTAGE draw their influences from the 1980's, but due to their self-contained sound they have more to offer than most of the metal bands who are trying to revive the musical spirit of 1980's thrash/black/heavy metal. I also really like the way, DEMONTAGE have integrated a keyboard into their uncompromisingly played songs. It increases the atmosphere of the whole album and, fortunately, none of the tracks with additional keys sounds corny or overloaded. 'The Principal Extinction' is not made for the average metal fan who listens only to the latest crappy release from Nuclear Blast. But if you like your metal raw and unpolished than it's about time to check out DEMONTAGE.
(KK)