Slaughter the Giant – Depravity
Slaughter the Giant – Depravity
Hammerheart Records
Release Date: 28/10/22
Running Time: 33:00
Review by Paul Hutchings
7/10
Now this was a conundrum. Brutal Death Metal combined with Symphonic and Operatic elements topped off with some real marmite vocals. A real challenge to explore. Firstly, who are Slaughter the Giants? Formed in 2018, the Belgian quintet released a debut EP “Asylum of the Damned” in 2019 and now unleash their debut record “Depravity” on an unsuspecting public.
“Depravity” is a short blast. A mere 33 minutes keep the band on focus and directed towards one vision. Delivering monumental chunks of Melodic Death Metal, Brutal Death Metal and a Fleshgod Apocalypse style Symphony. It works overall, although I admit that Benny Ubachs’ vocals were something of a challenge until I acclimatised.
The tempo is relentless as one would expect for a Death Metal band. The blast beats are hard, fast, and regular. Drumer Joren Baert does a fantastic job throughout. Duelling guitars feature prominently, with Broos and Devos complimenting each other with some fine flicks, tricks, and more routine thunderous riffing. It’s blisteringly fast, punishingly abusive. ‘Co-Ed Butcher’ is probably the closest to Fleshgod and it’s also one of the most impressive tracks on the album, with female operatic voices providing a contrast to the gruffness of Ubachs. It’s been done before, but the Belgians give it a real good go.
Whether it’ll set the Death Metal world alight is another thing of course. There’s plenty here to enjoy, from the opening title track that has a symphonic intro in classic style, shades of Arch Enemy’s melodic vibe edging through in parts, through to the concluding sing ‘Dark Days’ with its sweeping orchestral flourishes that intricately fold together with the crunching guitars. As I said, Ubachs vocals are a marmite challenge, and they are in my opinion, the weakest link here. Although they improve in certain songs, the delivery at times could be improved. But that’s a minor quibble, for overall this is a debut with promise.
‘The Undead’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01.Depravity
02. World to Come
03. Compliance
04. Co-ed Butcher
05. Ritual Abuse
06. Ecological Collapse
07. The Undead
08. Dark Day
LINE-UP:
Daan Vangoidsenhoven – Bass
Joren Baert – Drums
Jeron Broos – Guitair
Timi Devos – Guitar
Benny Ubachs – vocals
LINKS:
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