Devastator – Conjurers Of Cruelty
Devastator – Conjurers Of Cruelty
Listenable Records
Release Date: 01/03/2024
Running Time: 51:14
Review by Richard Oliver
9/10
It is refreshing to see that even in 2024 that the old ways of metal are still going strong. From bands playing traditional heavy metal to classic sounding doom to old school death metal, there is a whole new generation of bands paying homage to the metal sounds of yesteryear and ensuring that true metal stays alive and well. In recent years a new wave of bands playing a blackened style of speed metal or thrash metal has taken the metal world by storm with bands such as Midnight, Bunker 66, Cruel Force and Bewitcher dishing out gnarly old school metal aesthetics. The UK has also delivered unto this movement with the mighty Hellripper smashing it out the park with their album last year but Derbyshire’s own Devastator are about to tear the UK metal scene a new one with their sophomore album “Conjurers Of Cruelty”.
Mixing together elements of black metal, speed metal, thrash metal, traditional heavy metal and hardcore punk, Devastator have provided one of the most raucous, filthy and damn gorgeous albums this year. “Conjurers Of Cruelty” is a riotous and joyful nod to the ugly underbelly of 80’s heavy metal. From the speed metal glory of ‘Black Witchery’ and ‘Walpurgisnacht’ to the all out thrash assault of ‘Necromantic Lust’, ‘Bestial Rites’ and ‘Rabid Morbid Death’ this is an album that will kick you in the face and then pour a beer down your neck. Things take a slower and more evil turn with the bloodthirsty black metal of ‘Deathspell Defloration’ but when this song kicks off halfway through be prepared to find yourself in a one man circle pit in the middle of your front room. Whilst this is an absolutely savage release there are melodic moments throughout in some of the riffs and solos such as an acoustic section in ‘Ritual Abuse (Evil Never Dies)’ and some melodic leads in ‘Sharpen The Blade’. The melodic moments don’t detract from the sheer amounts of carnage on display though and certainly don’t permeate the vocal attack from T. Nachtghul who snarls and roars with furious intensity from start to finish.
“Conjurers Of Cruelty” is an album that will take your head clean off. Truly vicious with staggering levels of violence and aggression but also an overwhelming feeling of fun to it. The band sound so energised on this record and this very much translates into the music. If you want a band that mix together Venom, Motörhead, Slayer, Kreator, Bathory and Hellhammer then this album is going to tick all those boxes. For someone who worships at the altar of old school metal this album is simply a joyous experience from start to finish. This is an album that is best enjoyed with cold beers and a furious neck wrecking.
‘Black Witchery’ Official Music Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Beyond The Gate
02. Conjurers Of Cruelty
03. Black Witchery
04. Ritual Abuse (Evil Never Dies)
05. Walpurgisnacht
06. Necromantic Lust
07. Deathspell Defloration
08. Bestial Rites
09. Sharpen The Blade
10. Rabid Morbid Death
11. Liar In Wait (Bonus Track)
12. Death Forever (Bonus Track)
LINE-UP:
T. Nachtghul – Vocals & Bass
J. Scarlett – Drums
R. Amun – Guitars (Lead)
C. W. Wolfgang – Guitars (Rhythm)
LINKS:
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