Derelict
Montreal based Derelict recently dropped us a line about their album, Perpetuation, to see what we thought. Combining the brutal and technical elements of the Quebec metal scene with melody to create in an unforgiving yet accessible package of music, the band has been compared to the likes of Death, Strapping Young Lad and The Black Dahlia Murder since their initial release in 2009.Based on this, I thought it was time to check out for myself what was going on!
Opening with title track Perpetuation it’s easy to see how they’ve drawn the critical acclaim which they have, bombarding the listener from every direction with rolling drums, hammering riffs and roars guttural enough to shake you to your foundations. What’s most striking is the sense of melody which is still achieved in the music, crafting tracks which are not only blisteringly heavy but also accessible and funky enough to work alongside some of the more prog styles of metal. Differentiating the time signatures throughout the track, there’s a constant feel of excitement as to what’s going to come next, all working together to form a track which not only introduces us to the band, but hooks us in for the ride.
Spoils of War continues this theme, opening with a sludgy and distorted backing line whilst a soaring lead line leads the way into proceedings, matched only by an equally impressive bass line. Once again hurtling into a rolling track of pure destruction, this here is music which is going to get live venues moving and circling around one another. Expiry follows much the same recipe, from the epic opening moments through to the hammering main lines which follow. Lead lines, heavy assed riffs and more of that awesome growling combine to form a track which will force you to turn it up to the highest possible volume. It’s when Digital Birthright is upon us that the sound seems to change a little, opening more bass heavy and launching into an all-out powerful aural assault. This track seems to hold even more melody than before whilst being one of the heaviest tracks this side of hades!
Intricate Decay is another highpoint on the album, offering up differing time signatures to craft a track which seems to hark more towards the death and black metal spectrum whilst still keeping that melody there to be seen, resulting in a track which is crafted for the live scene and one which stands out as a serious moment to check out. Olympic once again adds a slightly different outlook on things, keeping more treble on the guitar to craft a sound which is still heavy, but almost more restrained and held back whilst still achieving an insane sense of power. It’s striking how the band have crafted a track here which is once again raw and aggressive, yet not simple at all, its technical and presents the listener with a real challenge to pick apart! Ergogenic almost seems to match this style, returning to the all out power of previous tracks and making sure that double bass pedal is found coming through the mix at all times. Fast, powerful and another point which you need to make sure you hear, this is a live anthem in the waiting, and one which is going to continue to develop the bands reputation of being one to watch.
Recreated demonstrates further the heavier side of their outlook, launching into a rolling melee of power from the off and not relenting until the moment the track comes to a close. Once again keeping you guessing as to what’s going to come next, there’s a sense of the likes of Devil Driver running through this track, also demonstrating why they’ve been compared to the likes of Strapping Young Lad. This continues into Yours To Surpass, once again crafting a track which not only shows this is a devastatingly heavy band, but also one which is technically able and a solid unit when working together. This is a seriously accomplished track, and one which once again stands out as a moment to hear as it demonstrates each and every element of the band in turn, crafting a track which keeps you guessing but knowing that it’s going to be good whatever they do!
Shackles of Indoctrination once again seems to rewrite the rule book for music, throwing distorted guitar lines and differing time signatures out at you at every single turn and keeping you guessing as to what is going to come next. Technical throughout, this is one which is going to leave you simply dumbfounded as to how a band can work as such a tight unit to craft such an advanced yet heavy sound. The Iridium Layer doesn’t hold back either, once again showing that this is a band who are going to be a force to be reckoned with if their name can get out there some more. Raw, technical and distorted throughout, the power almost oozes out of this track and leaves you craving more and more, but unfortunately it’s that point of the album when there’s only one more track to go – but what a track.
Closing with Emergence, there’s one last chance to behold the power of the band, offering up a bass heavy track full of moments which are going to make you want to start a pit where ever you are at that moment. Raw, aggressive, powerful and downright heavy from start to finish, this is a track which closes the album, leaves you wanting more but most of all, secures this band as an unstoppable force who need to get over to the UK!
Derelict are one of those bands who too many people will see on paper and say no to, but given the chance will convert more people than it will put off. Sure, there’s moments of all out power and raw distortion, but the music is also technically advanced and insanely well written – the result being 12 tracks of pure genius! In short, this is a band you need to hear, and a band who need to get over to the UK!
To find out more about Derelict, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with title track Perpetuation it’s easy to see how they’ve drawn the critical acclaim which they have, bombarding the listener from every direction with rolling drums, hammering riffs and roars guttural enough to shake you to your foundations. What’s most striking is the sense of melody which is still achieved in the music, crafting tracks which are not only blisteringly heavy but also accessible and funky enough to work alongside some of the more prog styles of metal. Differentiating the time signatures throughout the track, there’s a constant feel of excitement as to what’s going to come next, all working together to form a track which not only introduces us to the band, but hooks us in for the ride.
Spoils of War continues this theme, opening with a sludgy and distorted backing line whilst a soaring lead line leads the way into proceedings, matched only by an equally impressive bass line. Once again hurtling into a rolling track of pure destruction, this here is music which is going to get live venues moving and circling around one another. Expiry follows much the same recipe, from the epic opening moments through to the hammering main lines which follow. Lead lines, heavy assed riffs and more of that awesome growling combine to form a track which will force you to turn it up to the highest possible volume. It’s when Digital Birthright is upon us that the sound seems to change a little, opening more bass heavy and launching into an all-out powerful aural assault. This track seems to hold even more melody than before whilst being one of the heaviest tracks this side of hades!
Intricate Decay is another highpoint on the album, offering up differing time signatures to craft a track which seems to hark more towards the death and black metal spectrum whilst still keeping that melody there to be seen, resulting in a track which is crafted for the live scene and one which stands out as a serious moment to check out. Olympic once again adds a slightly different outlook on things, keeping more treble on the guitar to craft a sound which is still heavy, but almost more restrained and held back whilst still achieving an insane sense of power. It’s striking how the band have crafted a track here which is once again raw and aggressive, yet not simple at all, its technical and presents the listener with a real challenge to pick apart! Ergogenic almost seems to match this style, returning to the all out power of previous tracks and making sure that double bass pedal is found coming through the mix at all times. Fast, powerful and another point which you need to make sure you hear, this is a live anthem in the waiting, and one which is going to continue to develop the bands reputation of being one to watch.
Recreated demonstrates further the heavier side of their outlook, launching into a rolling melee of power from the off and not relenting until the moment the track comes to a close. Once again keeping you guessing as to what’s going to come next, there’s a sense of the likes of Devil Driver running through this track, also demonstrating why they’ve been compared to the likes of Strapping Young Lad. This continues into Yours To Surpass, once again crafting a track which not only shows this is a devastatingly heavy band, but also one which is technically able and a solid unit when working together. This is a seriously accomplished track, and one which once again stands out as a moment to hear as it demonstrates each and every element of the band in turn, crafting a track which keeps you guessing but knowing that it’s going to be good whatever they do!
Shackles of Indoctrination once again seems to rewrite the rule book for music, throwing distorted guitar lines and differing time signatures out at you at every single turn and keeping you guessing as to what is going to come next. Technical throughout, this is one which is going to leave you simply dumbfounded as to how a band can work as such a tight unit to craft such an advanced yet heavy sound. The Iridium Layer doesn’t hold back either, once again showing that this is a band who are going to be a force to be reckoned with if their name can get out there some more. Raw, technical and distorted throughout, the power almost oozes out of this track and leaves you craving more and more, but unfortunately it’s that point of the album when there’s only one more track to go – but what a track.
Closing with Emergence, there’s one last chance to behold the power of the band, offering up a bass heavy track full of moments which are going to make you want to start a pit where ever you are at that moment. Raw, aggressive, powerful and downright heavy from start to finish, this is a track which closes the album, leaves you wanting more but most of all, secures this band as an unstoppable force who need to get over to the UK!
Derelict are one of those bands who too many people will see on paper and say no to, but given the chance will convert more people than it will put off. Sure, there’s moments of all out power and raw distortion, but the music is also technically advanced and insanely well written – the result being 12 tracks of pure genius! In short, this is a band you need to hear, and a band who need to get over to the UK!
To find out more about Derelict, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls