DESASTER „666-Satan’s Soldiers Syndicate””

Music: Black Thrash
Country: Germany
Web site: http://www.total-desaster.de/


Cool Songs: Fate Forever Flesh, Hellbangers, Vile We Dwell, The March of Fire and Conquest

Germany’s DESASTER has been thrashin' for Satan since 1988. Since the group’s inception, these raw thrashers have never left the path of Baphomet’s cloven hoof prints. They have always adhered to the fiery path first blazed by groups like BATHORY, SODOM, POSSESSED, early SLAYER and VENOM. Undoubtedly, the group later infused its blasphemous thrash with elements from Scandinavian black metal and death metal. The recent release of “666-Satan’s Soldiers” stays consistent with the sound they have been perfecting for nearly twenty years.

One subtle change in the group’s sound comes via vocalist, Sataniac, who replaced founding member Okkulto in 2001. Since the group only released one album, “Angelwhore,” since the entering of Sataniac, his entrance might be news to many. Sataniac’s vocals are much harsher with a rawness and aggression not displayed by Okkulto. The heavy-alliterated song title “Fate Forever Flesh” is a good indicator of Sataniac’s skill. The beginning of the track shows the front man belting out a sickening, hellish roar. The said track is also a sample of the group at its blackest.

Desaster is definitely for fans of black metal and thrash. “666” is chalk full of head banging, fist pumping riffs. Whether it is speed metal riffing or traditional heavy metal guitar gallops, Desaster never fails in delivering the goods! “Vile We Dwell” brings all the artillery for Satan’s soldiers to force its captives to head bang: smoothly transitioned rhythms ranging from big bar chord breaks to memorable speed-picked rhythms. “Venomous Stench” is another noteworthy track. This one surely recalls the mighty VENOM and even MOTORHEAD in its classic metal approach.

Desaster is not all about jean jackets and Aviator sunglasses. Most, if not all, of their releases feature medieval, cinematic compositions of a folksy air. These moments are normally reserved for introductions or as a break away from the moments of metal mayhem. Most of these tracks feature music and song titles related to the group’s Teutonic heritage. “666” is no divergent of this tradition. “The March of Fire and Conquest.” opens the album with awe-inspiring keyboards, horns, the fading sound of wind, and neighing of a horse.

With “666-Satan’s Soldiers Syndicate,” Desaster has once again created a solid effort of black fucking thrash! Desaster excels in what they do not only because they do it well, but also because they have a sound of their own. Sure, they take much from the early black metal movement, but they do it without stealing.

note: 8/10

Tracklist

1. Intro
2. Satan's Soldiers Syndicate
3. Angel Extermination
4. Razor Ritual
5. Hellbangers
6. Fate Forever Flesh
7. Vile We Dwell
8. Tyrannizer
9. Venomous Stench
10. More Corpses For The Grave
Total playing time 37:25

Line-up

Sataniac: Vocals
Infernal: Guitars
Odin: Bass
Tormentor: Drums

guest appearances by Proscriptor (ABSU), A.A.
Nemtheanga (PRIMORDIAL) and Ashmedi (MELECHESH).