CD Title: Break-The-Code
Year: 2008
Website: myspace.com/decrepitusofficial
MySpace: myspace.com/decrepitusofficial
Label: None
Featured on: Loucifer Speaks... and wherever else I can post it (probably CDBaby)!
Rating: 9.6 / 10
More Links: DECREPITUS THREAD ON LOUCIFER SPEAKS' FORUM.
"Break The Code" is the current album from Norway's Decrepitus. The band originally formed and the album comes after a number of line-up changes and style changes (the band played Heavy Metal to begin with, although this album is decidedly Death Metal).
The album opens with the calming and inspiring "Where The Ravens Fly". The track may only weigh in at just over a minute and a half long, and it may only serve to be an intro track, but there's something about it that creates a lasting impression. If this is your first listen to Decrepitus (and it was for me), then you instantly know that you're in for something a lot more intense than your usual slab of Death Metal.
The title track really gets the blood pumping and is like a burst of unstoppable energy. "Death And War" seems to do the seemingly impossible and picks up the pace even more. This track is fantastic and is definitely one of my favourites from the CD. Great (and incredibly memorable) riff and the vocals are just right.
While Decrepitus may be a Death Metal band (albeit formed by former members of Black Metal bands), it's easy to see (or hear?) that their influences are not limited to that genre. Take a listen to "Bloodbath" for example, while the general pace and sound does remind me of one of my favourite Death Metal bands of all time - Obituary - it is not simply just Death Metal. There are definite Rock and Heavy Metal influences here and, even though the melodies may be harsh and uncomprimising, they are still there. They still infect your brain!
"Night of the Walking Dead" keeps the horror fan in me extremely happy... basically any band that has that horror aspect to them earns extra points with me. I can't help it! Add to that the fact that the track is damn enjoyable... and damn difficult to keep you head still to... and you're on to a winner.
The album closes with my other favourite track here - "Typhus". Again we're treated to rock rhythms and Black Metal inspired vocals all combined with that awesome Death Metal flavour!
Decrepitus may not be reinventing the wheel... but who cares? Bang your head and raise your horns - this is fuckin' metal!