Label: Cold Blood Industries

Release: 8th May 2002

By: Psycho

Points: 7,5

Aaarrrgghh, with their sophomore ( until the middle of the 90's the band operated under the name Bloodlust ) DISSENTER have delivered a really ultra heavy, crushing and unbelievable brutal piece of death. Apocalypse Of The Damned doesn't give you any moment to draw a breath; all these many and various riffs, changes in speed and song structures, paired with a forth-gurgling voice from the deepest abysms results in a sum that equals an absolute neck-breaking combination. Thereby the offer isn't at all super original. As first and principle relation I get Morbid Angel in my mind. It is just a way rawer and harder version of the Florida mates. Could it be because of the rough Polish climate?

Anyway, DISSENTER almost give permanent full throttle and that's exactly the only flaw on this album. Then despite of all the variety I miss one or two songs which are structured a bit in an other way or for my sake just a bit slower, to configure the whole run off more variably. For this reason it is difficult to point out any highlights. Sometimes Apocalypse Of The Damned just speeds the listener such as a flush. And at least to me it didn't make it easy to stick at it from the beginning to the end by full concentration.

Worth mentioning is in any case the opener Runic Hymn, which can attend with its nested breaks, wild blast outbreaks, flashy psycho riffing and a big potential of aggressiveness. Already here it stands out that the production is very sophisticated, despite of all the rawness. You really can hear every least detail out and the power nails you down on the wall. The leads are completely uncoupled and move in its own pitched melodic. I already can say it right now, that the guys will have lots of problems with the live performance. Not because of the skills ( the guys are fit as hell, just listen to the drummer, he kicks ass!!!) but because of the often used twin-running guitar riffs. There it could be utterly missed by the second axe man.
These characteristics go through the following tracks as a thread, as there is the probably fastest track Master Of Holy Justice, although you also can name with a peace of conscience The Beginning and Buried. But my personal fave is Dead Author, because it sounds completely twisted and sick.

Upshot: Those who like more "normal" and melodic Death Metal should better listen to this album before buying. But those of you who can't get it crazy and rough enough, has found in Apocalypse Of The Damned the perfect platter to get the ears cleaned ...

Dissenter