Truth Decayed – Faded Visions I
Truth Decayed – Faded Visions I
Self-Released
Release Date: 08/04/22
Running Time: 21:29
Review by Simon Black
7/10
The advantage of this job is I get to find out all about the Metal scene in a whole bunch of far-flung parts of the world without ever having to leave South Wales. Today it’s South Africa’s turn, with Truth Decayed originating in Durban. As well as being the first South African Metal band to cross my desk, they are also bucking the trend of many acts through lockdown who have either slowed down or halted their activities completely whilst waiting for the world to recover. Truth Decayed however, actually formed during lockdown as a project by long-term friends Warren Jones and Ryno Theron, who form the guitar backbone of the band, with Theron also picking up vocal duties.
A lot of acts really struggled to adapt to this time, having got used to writing and recording in a room together previously then finding themselves segregated, but these boys started from nothing and built out from there. It’s not clear whether this record was done face to face or remotely, but either way the band sounds confident, cohesive and organically whole. I guess if you start remotely, which is possibly the hardest situation to record in (‘cos let’s face it recording an the family airing cupboard surrounded by duvets and towels is not a natural place to cut a Metal disk).
Following on from their 2020 “Modern Day Illusion EP”, “Faded Visions I” is the first of a two-part EP process. A quick back check on this first step revealed a very raw act with a lot potential and it’s clear that the boys have learned much since they cut that first disk. “Faded Visions I” is a lot stronger than it’s predecessor, with a much meatier and joined up feel to the playing. The guitar work is probably the first point of serious note, with some incredibly technically eloquent bits of shredding hidden away amongst all the brutal Thrash riffage. There are moments when this is positively Melodic, and wouldn’t sound out of place on something more Progressive and the fine balancing act the band walk between these two slightly contradictory styles is impressive.
The opening bars of the title track bounce out fast and furious, with pile-driving energy, a catchy, melodic opening riff and some pile driving drum work. This is technically influenced Thrash, full of time changes, complexity and catchy arrangements. Theron’s vocals are a little high in the mix though, with a style that borders on the Extreme whilst still remaining legible – always a bonus. He also manages to separate his vocal phrasing and timing from the guitar melodies well, something many Thrash 4 pieces struggle to do with the vocalist traditionally chugging his syllables in time to the rhythm riff.
For a self-produced piece the Production is not bad, although it does feel that not all tracks were mixed and mastered consistently, but to be honest that’s a minor niggle. They also are not afraid to be a little more experimental, as let’s face it closing a five track EP with a five minutes long instrumental piece that sounds more NWOBHM / Classic Rock than Thrash is a brave move. It’s called ‘The Witches’ Watch’ and it’s an absolutely beautifully crafted piece, showcasing the considerable guitar talents at play here without being overtly showy, shreddy and pretentious. It works because it’s totally unexpected, which is pretty much how I will sum up this whole release. Part 2 looks worth waiting for…
TRACKLISTING:
01. Faded Visions
02. Absolute War
03. The World I Know
04. PTSD
05. The Witches’ Watch
LINE-UP:
Ryno Theron – Guitar & Vocals
Warren Jones – Guitar
Johan Maree – Bass & Vocals
Daniel Philogene – Drums
LINKS:
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