God Shaped Devil – Dark Fields
Self Released
Release Date: 10/07/2019
Running Time: 42:07
Review by Beth Jones
10/10
Being a Northerner, one thing that really pleases me is the amount of quality bands from around these parts that are popping up at the moment, and in particular, that of the Manchester scene. This couldn’t be truer of the subject of this review – Manchester based, God Shaped Devil, with their debut album “Dark Fields”.
I first discovered these guys at Badgerfest last year, where they were my band of the weekend, without question. I have been really looking forward to the release of this album since then, and was honoured when they asked us to be the first to give it a listen.
Fronted by Vocalist and Lead Guitarist Bécy Füzéri (Bex), with Matt Morris on Rhythm Guitar, Lajos Borsi on Bass/Vocals, and Luke Ellwood on Drums, they describe their sound as an explosive combination of thrash and groove metal with their own artistic flair. They self-recorded and released their initial EP in 2015, which was very well received, and featured in Terrorizer Magazine. The Manchester underground scene took to them straight away and since then, they have been gigging and working on material for this forthcoming release, which has helped their sound to evolve, and become what it is today, with the addition of Matt on Rhythm Guitar in 2017, making the original three piece into a four piece.
I love it when a band manages to catch me straight away, and I can safely say that God Shaped Devil have done that, both live, and now with this release. From the first chord on the first track, I knew that this was going to be good. Chunky, meaty and down-tuned, it grabs you by the guts and doesn’t let go. The whole album is an up-tempo, thrashy groovefest that you cannot help but bang your head to. It is full on and in your face, with Bex’s solid screams, and the deep growling backing vocals of Lajos, and it is peppered with atmospheric guitar sounds, as well as some beautiful solo work and electrifying rhythms from the bass and drums, which combine to give the whole thing an excitingly terrifying feel – it would not be out of place as the soundtrack to an apocalyptic, end of days, movie. Judging by the track titles, this (I’m hoping) is the feel that they have gone for – ‘Drowning Gravity’, ‘Deadly Sign’ and ‘Becoming Evil’, being just a few examples.
I like to try and write a bit about my favourite track from an album in a review, but I can’t with this album, because I can’t pick which is my favourite – they are all absolute bangers! I do love the first track, ‘Guiding Light’, because it grabs you straight away, and sets the tone for the whole thing. The guitar solo in the middle of ‘Drowning Gravity’ also deserves a special mention, because it is a real face melter!
I am seriously blown away by this album. The creativity is superb, and there are nods to so many styles in it, there is literally something for everyone. Musically, it is top quality, and displays their natural talent, and a professionalism that reaches far beyond their relatively new status. It is also brilliantly recorded and produced, considering it is all their own work. They have such a clear direction, and vision of what they are trying to do both within this album, and as a band, that it is truly enlivening. I really couldn’t give this album less than a perfect score, because I am struggling to find anything that I don’t like about it, and as a debut it is capable of blowing a great many other albums from longer standing bands completely out of the water! On our first listen, I felt like some parts may have been a little too low in the mix, but it turns out that was just our speaker being a bit pants! Listening again on a different system has cleared up that beef, so I literally have no constructive criticism to give. It’s just so bloody good! Damn! Short of something mind blowing, this is definitely going to feature very highly in my top ten albums of the year. I really hope they can sustain this level of superbness for a long time, and if they do, they are going to be one hell of a force to be reckoned with!
Well done chaps!
TRACKLISTING:
01. Guiding Light
02. Drowning Gravity
03. Deadly Sign
04. Barbed Wire
05. Becoming Evil
06. Delusion
07. Bloodstain
08. Dark Fields
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/godshapeddevil/
Tweets by godshapeddevil
https://www.instagram.com/godshapeddevil/
https://godshapeddevil.bigcartel.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFuplcVPg4jeuQsdCUtWK6g
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Beth Jones and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.