Ulcerate – The Destroyers Of All
Posted on 28th Jan 11 by Jonathan Keane | 
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New Zealand has, in the last few years, really been marking its spot on metal’s map and particularly so in the death metal realm, with bands like Witchrist and, last year Diocletian releasing the punishing War Of All Against All album and now Ulcerate, with album number three, are continuing a strong and relentless creative [...]
New Zealand has, in the last few years, really been marking its spot on metal’s map and particularly so in the death metal realm, with bands like Witchrist and, last year Diocletian releasing the punishing War Of All Against All album and now Ulcerate, with album number three, are continuing a strong and relentless creative trajectory. The Destroyers Of All sees much of that trajectory come to a boiling point.
The Destroyers Of All is a nefariously vicious but still intrepidly inventive record. It is, in every aspect, utterly brutal, chaotic and unforgiving. In fact, one could go on for so long with many an adjective to applaud it. Fans of the album’s predecessors will doubtlessly lap this record up but it may also open a door to newcomers to explore their world. Not that it’s, dare we utter the word… accessible, far from it! It’s simply the fact that The Destroyers Of All is heaving with a ferociousness that eclipses what came before.
Drummer Jamie Merat is on particularly top form with a performance that could really only be described as bestial, while bassist/vocalist Paul Kelland delivers an almighty, ear abusing vocal performance that meshes with the vigorous barrage of riffs so naturally.
Dead Oceans opens with a grimy guitar tone before launching into visceral and unforgiving chaos. The clash of riffs and unrelenting drums makes for an overall daunting and oppressive sound on not just Dead Oceans but the entire album.
Beneath is one of the moments that reels the clamour in just a little bit. The dense passages have been slowed slightly to a languished pace while the ten minute closer title track is a sprawling and ambitious work of cerebral brutality.
The title of this album well and truly sums up its purpose – The Destroyers Of All. Its violent intent and implementation speaks volumes. There’s more than a satisfying level of technicality and prowess within all seven tracks but still an overwhelmingly bleak and despondent atmosphere. The bar for death metal records in 2011 seems pretty high right now.
Drop-d Rating: 7.5/10
Tags: death metal, Diocletian, Jamie Merat, New Zealand, Paul Kelland, The Destroyers Of All, Ulcerate, Witchrist
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