Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Let’s start this a little different. If you will notice my other reviews, I try to save the honesty (brutal or not) for the last paragraph. In pondering the way to start this review, I decided to notate my first impression upon seeing this album. Brutal death metal (look at the cover, the name of the band/album) and those who know me know that style of music is not my forte. Very few death metal bands see the light of day in my playlist.

Absolution was formed in 2004 by Chaz Leon (guitarist/songwriter), Benny Del Rio (guitarist), and Chris Mason (drums), and is based out of sunny California. In August of 2004, Troy Tucker replaced Chris Mason’s drumming duties, and the band welcomed a bassist by the name of Mike Horan. In September of the same year, the game of duck duck goose for a drummer continues, and the winner was Luis Arevalo. Now that the drummer is in place, the band can complete their circle and focus on adding a vocalist. Dave Deroscher jumps aboard that train in October, 2004.

After hearing the first track, my fears of evil brutal death metal were quickly laid to rest. Opening up with a dialogue about vulnerability of the attacks of Satan and quickly jumping into the music that calmed me. Releasing a flurry of speedy yet technically precise instrumentation, and then mixing vocals that can only be compared to old Overkill or Nasty Savage, we have us a song that kicks down the door and makes itself at home in my CD player. The second track starts with a bone crushing guitar intro/solos and has an Iced Earth/Dream Theater type feel to it. Very powerful and thrash oriented both musically and vocally, then dropping to a very melodic vocal style, and returning to thrashy vocals once again. Track 3 starts with a doom feel to it, but drops that fast, turning back into speed racer. The screams and speed mixed with melody are what this diverse band is all about. Holy shit, just when you think you have the answer, they go and change the question. They have thrown in an element that I did not think this band was capable of. They have managed a throwback to days of bands like Skid Row and Warrant with great melodies and stellar guitar work, and mixed it with their unique blend of today’s metal. Let’s see what the next track brings, which is great throwback work and more melodic all around than the tracks before this. The closer includes an instrument showcase. A chance for the four nonvocal members to show off their individual talents, and spotlights the unit they have made. And now is Dave’s turn to show what his vocal chords are capable of.

Absolution, as a cohesive unit, are not content being confined to one genre and after listing to this, the only genre that can hold these guys is simply heavy metal. They have included something for everyone here. No stone is left unturned. We get thrash/speed, we get power/melodic, we get throwback, but most importantly, we get a jewel. It took a few tries to find the right ingredients, but now that they have, this is a golden recipe. I can not wait to see how bright their future is. Assuming the next release is as good or better (I am not sure how that is possible) than this one, it will surely hand your ass to you and ask for more.