Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: JP
One of the early Swedish Death Metal bands that made it into the wider sphere of North American consciousness thanks to a deal with Metal Blade. After a pair of great records, one misstep with SWALLOW THE SNAKE (which isn’t as bad as everyone says) and they disappeared off the map. Well, not really off the map They changed styles and name (to Zebulon) did a couple more records but have now reunited as Desultory to have another shot at glory.
Now with Pulverised Records, Desultory knew they had to deliver and COUNTING OUR SCARS does just that. Some bands can reunite and the hype and nostalgia is enough to sustain a reunion, but these guys were never quite at that level. They needed a strong record as they were (almost) starting from scratch 15 years later and they did deliver.
The classic, buzz-saw guitar tone, of which they were an early part of establishing 20 years ago, is fully intact as this 9-tracker hits the Death Metal highlights. The bands on full-throttle as they rip and roar through a great introduction (or reintroduction to us older fans) to their signature sound. It’s like they never really went away.
Travis Smith provides some really cool album artwork, a bit atypical for him but it’s a strong image nonetheless, and their second (classic) logo is back as well. It’s the attention to detail that helps in these situations, compel the old fans, attract the new fans. The production is very good as well, loud and proud guitars thick and upfront with the aforementioned tone that brings a smile to the face of most Swedish Death Metal fans. The songs are mid-tempo to fast, steamrolling along with the riffs being catchy in the context of relatively straight-forward Death Metal songs. Morberg sounds good barking out a harsh yet intelligible vocal performance.
It must be hard for a band like Desultory to have tried (and some would say fail) to expand their musical horizons and vision but sometimes ya gotta give the people what they want. COUNTING OUR SCARS is an apt and fitting title. They have been through the wars and have come out scarred but stronger and we the fans are better for it.
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