ALBUM REVIEW: Baptised In Blasphemy – Devastator

Like the unholy union of two infernal beasts, blackened thrash has long captured the most dominating aspects of two of metals most deadly strains. Fusing the relentless fury of thrash with the unhallowed intensity of black metal it is indeed a force to be reckoned with. From the ungodly land of Derbyshire, UK – a gnarly quartet of heathens known as DEVASTATOR summon forth their debut incantation in the hopes that Satan himself will bestow his blessing upon their filthy, aggressive style. Paying homage to the true spirit of heavy metal that has never truly died the band promise to remind all that raw, unadulterated attitude has never left the music with their debut album Baptised In Blasphemy.

Confident, invasive and dripping with blood, Howling Night charges forward with a ferocious style that bulges with power from start to finish. A perfect start and one that gives a clear message – DEVASTATOR are here to rip you apart from the inside. Reminiscent of England’s own VENOM it is clear that these heretics want to reinvigorate the force that 80’s metal pulsed, bringing with it a downright dominating attitude. Grabbing you by the horns and forcing you to the slaughter Worship the Goat hits you like a wrecking ball, giving you little time to think and even more time to lose yourself in what is an endless barrage of headbang-inducing frenzy.

With so much power and dirt spewing from much of the album, its refreshing to see that songs like Hail Death still exhibit the screaming guitar wails and nimble solos that give so much energy to heavy metal. While its over far too soon, Send them to Hell is sure to satisfy thrash fanatics seething for the next pit before Death Slut grabs you and pulls you back in for round two. If MOTORHEAD had taken more speed and drunk gallons of energy drink when in the studio they very well could have come up with something similar to what DEVASTATOR have forged, it truly does not lose its fervour at any point.

Even as Spiritual Warfare leaves a gap for some blackened melody to push through it does not lose its demonic demeanour. Despite the vocals somewhat lacking in variety or interesting structure it would probably detract from the heavy, no-holds barred temperament that makes this release so damn powerful. It is no surprise then that title track Baptised In Blasphemy oozes the same devilish onslaught that is consistent throughout, manic mayhem held together with wicked wails and a dominating attitude that lingers like the stench of a rotting cadaver.

Not only would Satan bestow his blessing but he would probably be on his knees begging to be a part of what is perhaps the most devastating and deadly blackened thrash album to come from the metal underground this year. It is relentless, it is invigorating, it is evil incarnate from start to finish. DEVASTATOR don’t have time to pussyfoot around, they only have one goal in mind and that is to blow you apart with a deadly bombardment of speed, power and unholy hymns. A furious fusion with some tasty surprises, Baptised in Blasphemy is sure to have you begging for more blood and praying to the horned God for his blessing.

Rating 7/10

Baptised In Blasphemy is set for release on July 10th via Clobber Records.

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