DIVINE HERESY „“Bleed the Fifth””

Music: Death metal/modern metal
Country: U.S.A.
Web site: www.myspace.com/divineheresyband
Cool Songs: Bleed the Fifth, This Threat is Real, False Gospel

Dino Cazares handled the guitars for one of the most successful metal groups of the ‘90s, FEAR FACTORY. After the disappointing “Digimortal,” Cazares left the group, which left many fans wondering what the future holds for FEAR FACTORY and Cazares. FEAR FACTORY handled their end with expertise, moving their bassist Christian Olde Wolbers over to guitar and recruiting Byron Stroud of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD to fill in the bass spot. After several years of hiding in the shadows, Dino has returned, and the fans that worried about his future career choices, worry no more.

Dino retains the trademark guitar style he perfected with his former group, even enhancing it to the point of perfection. Dino also came through in recruiting band mates with exceptional talent. Most fans of death metal will recognize the name Tim Yeung. Since lending his drumming skills to the first HATE ETERNAL album “Conquering the Throne,” Yeung has proved to be one of the quickest drummers in the world. He is also one of the most sought after drummers, performing with HANK III, VITAL REMAINS, NILE, and others. Rounding out the group is vocalist, Tommy Vext, who is no slouch by any means. Vext proves to be very capable of fronting the band. Vext signs with an assortment of voices. Whether he sings in a Phil Anselmo or Burton C. Bell-like voice during the heavy, chugging moments, death metal screams during death metal breaks or in a honey-pitch clean voice, he nails every vocal style he tries.

Vext has a multitude of vocal styles, which all fit the accompanying music. “Soul Decoded (Now and Forever)” sounds like the group doing their best impression of MESHUGGAH, considering the ultra-low guitar (probably a seven string) and oddly timed drums. Here Vext wisely uses his Phil Anselmo heavy voice. The song doesn’t feature the repetitions of MESHUGGAH, it picks up the tempo in places and varies the music. The album’s opener gives the impression this is a straight-ahead death metal record, with HATE ETERNAL being the main source of inspiration. Yeung has shown the metal community he can play this style. I want to see what else he can do, so soon into this track the music changes into triplet-rich guitar and drum tandems, the kind of technique employed throughout Dino’s career in FEAR FACTORY.

“This Threat is Real” is my personal favorite. There is no better track to represent the album’s overall sound. This track features the short, explosive kick drumbeats and triplet guitar riffing that is the core of the album. Additionally, Dino plays a dark, death metal guitar riff, raising the song’s intensity (as if it weren’t intense enough, already) with Vext screaming at the top of his lungs in true black/death metal fashion. Here you will also find the band halting in favor of a melodic hook. Vext’s clean vocal passage is a great sing along part. His vocals are part Howard Jones of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and part Burton C. Bell. Moreover, as always, the drums will beat the shit out of the listener!

“Bleed the Fifth” has the potential to make some big bucks. Most musicians should find the musical skill worthy of an awe or two. The numbers have dwindled, but there is still a large fan base for FEAR FACTORY that will love this album. It should also appeal to death metal fans and fans of popular groups such as PANTERA and MESHUGGAH. Hopefully, this album does well, which would prove that making a metalcore or screamo album is not absolutely necessary in today’s metal scene.

note: 10/10

Tracklist

1. Bleed the Fifth
2. Failed Creation
3. This Threat is Real
4. Impossible is Nothing
5. Savior Self
6. Rise of the Scorned
7. False Gospel
8. Soul Decoded (Now and Forever)
9. Royal Blood Heresy
10. Closure
Total playing time 38:49

Line-up

Tommy Cummings (Vext) – Vocals
Dino Cazares – Guitars
Joe Payne – Bass
Tim Yeung – Drums