Descend The Trend - Soul Destruction > Reviews > Soul Destruction ~ Descend the Trend

Author's product rating:   

Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money

Advantages:	Shows a lot of promise
Disadvantages:	Couple of weaker moments

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

1. A New Religion
2. Dysfunctional Reality
3. Spiral Of Violence
4. Modern Day Freakshow
5. Refracted Neurosis
6. Straitjacket Messiah
7. Fake
8. Disgrace
9. Beautiful Suicide

After the first few tracks of this stomping disc it is clear that Soul Destruction are a band with enormous potential, their blend of experimental metal, and hints of industrial thrown in for good measure, a formula that worked well for bands like Fear Factory, is almost certain to reap rewards for this lot on the strength of this record alone. There really is a bit of everything here, it is easy to draw comparisons to Sulpher (in an industrial sense), Prong (with the blend of industrial metal) and as mentioned above, Fear Factory, due to the raw, yet catchy beats assembled throughout.

Upon listening to the creativity displayed over the course of the album, it is plainly obvious to see that Soul Destruction are one of those bands that will soon be as much of a household name as the aforementioned bands are, if they are to fully realise their potential. 'A New Religion' starts proceedings brilliantly, a fitting opener, with fast paced guitars, cleverly placed synth samples, and drumming so apt for the band's style that the entire track feels like a perfect advert for Soul Destruction. 'Dysfunctional Reality' and 'Spiral of Violence' continue in the same vain, with nicely arranged samples smothered in catchy vocals and guitar sequences.

'Refracted Neurosis' acts as an intermission for the album, before getting back to business with 'Straitjacket Messiah', which doesn't hold quite the same power as the opening pieces, but still doesn't put a dampener on the album. Track seven, 'Fake', whad'da ya know? They've gone all melodic on us, Mark Susans on vocals has a decent enough melancholic voice to pull the listener in as much as his raw talent had done on the previous tracks, it comes as a bit of a surprise, but it works really well all the same. The record closes with 'Disgrace', another typically rhythmic blast of energy, and 'Beautiful Suicide', revisiting the more soul searching aura of 'Fake'. To summarise, Soul Destruction have created a disc full of talented musicianship that, along with 2003's 'A Lifetime of Dependency', should act as a stepping stone to great things for the band, it is a heavy, yet emotional wall of sound that isn't afraid to pull out all the stops in a genre hopping display.

More information on the band can be found on their website (www.souldestruction.co.uk), which is currently also the best place to buy their releases.