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The Gauntlet: Despised Icon |
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Despised Icon Album Review
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Tracklist
01. Bulletproof Scales
02. Silver Plate Advocate
03. Immaculate
04. Warm Blooded
05. Retina
06. The Sunset Will Never Charm Us
07. As Bridges Burn
08. Harvesting The Deceased
09. End This Day
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Despised Icon utilizes two vocalists, which enables the group to pull off a wide range of different sounds that at all times remains decidedly brutal as hell throughout the course of 'The Healing Process'. From grooved out mid tempoed axe pounding to riffs that grind like crazy, this group really gets things going as the vocalists alternate between sick guttural belches and ear splitting shrieks. 'Bulletproof Scales' is a severs lesson in musical face smashing, while the unrelenting 'Silver Plated Advocate' contains some of the absolute sickest double kick work you can imagine. Coupled with intense squeals that serve as a percussive element, this song is literally one of the most creative slabs of grinding death ever recorded. Despised Icon should gain notoriety for this tune above all. 'Immaculate' sounds like someone placed Pantera in a torture chamber and recorded the event for a pay per view broadcast. Drummer Alexandre Pellitier must be noted for his tremendous level of skill. He skillfully blasts through wicked hyper-smashing at a breakneck pace without missing a beat. One of the most interesting facets of the group's sound is their distinct ability to meld endless amounts of songparts into one giant all-consuming machine of sound. The juxtaposition of the vocalists distinct styles and screams sets the band apart as one that instead of following a pattern set before them, have instead merged these influences with their own artistic abilities into a wholly unique sound. Guitar tones are especially heavy on the record and the bass is mixed in perfectly so that it may appear to be distinct, however, does not interfere with the low end of the guitars and drown it out. This is a critical factor in the overall heaviness of this record. From scathing grind slabs like 'Warm Blooded' to the deranged insanity that drives 'The Sunset Will Never Charm Us', Despised Icon never fail to produce music that is challenging, thoughtfully created and played with a strong measure of intensity. 'The Healing Process' will simply crush you.
Review by: Erin Fox
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