Beissert – Darkness:Devil:Death (2013)

We have been very troubled by writing a review for this release since it is one very complex and intricate album that is hard to swallow in a few (dozen) spins. Building up on their already very intoxicating sound, the band brings together Groove/Technical Metal elements into some Sludge and even Heavy Metal/Hard Rock influences all coming together in some kick as Metal-with-attitude as we would describe it.

The album starts in a confusing manner with tracks like “The Chthonic Cathedral” and “DarknessDevilDeath”, both filled with killer riffs and soaring vocals, but seem very overwhelming for opening tracks. While band’s sound is very present in said tracks, we think that maybe something more approachable and mellow as “Age Ov Darkness” (and its sick melodic riffs) would have better served as a lead-up into the band’s groovy music. However, once the first two song hump is behind you, all the rest of the release is just sweet aggressive and melodic brilliance.

In a more old-school Beissert fashion, “Zorn Der Geister” is one of the best tracks in this release thanks to the killer guitar leads and super catchy Thrashy riffs. Groovy/Technical tracks like “My Path Shall Be Your Wrath” remind us of a mixture of bands like France’s Gojira and Hacride with the supreme overlords of Technical/Groove bands: Meshuggah, but with a more mellow edge. Our favorite track in this album is the ridiculously addictive (and somewhat cheesy at the same time) “Perm Trias” and those Glam Metal chorus sections packed in-between some killer and power riffs.

As this release comes winding down, another standout is the very emotional “Do What Thou Wilt” and it’s very relax in comparison to other tracks, similar to the melodic and crunchy “DXXXV”. Refusing to not go without a good dosage of groove and technical riffing, “De Profundis Clamavi” brings things back into full gear before putting the album to rest with the hard-rocking “Die Diamantenen Tore Der Hoelle [Polaris]”.

Never doubting Beissert, “Darkness:Devil:Death” is indeed one hell of an album that will make you work for it in terms of giving it more than one listen to fully understand it and appreciate it. The band has taken their sonic abuse further with even more skillfully crafted melodies that put them years ahead of the competition. We can’t wait to get the chance of watching these guys live since their music is filled with energy and will surely rub off on you after listening to them.

Release: March 12th, 2013 (Europe) / April 16th, 2013 (USA)

Genre: Modern Metal / Groove/Sludge Metal

Country: Germany