Artist: Debt Of Nature
Title: Crush, Kill & Burn
Type: Album
Label: Deity Down Records

I’m not quite sure how this German bands label or themselves has come up with their band comparison, influence or mix of Napalm, Bodom and Dying Fetus as to me this album is just deathrash. Granted there is the odd Fetus like guitar inflection but this is closer to bands like Carnal Forge or Seregon. Don’t get me wrong I did enjoy “Crush, Kill & Burn” as a thrash metal slab with some deathly beats added for intensity and power as the opening track “Masturbator Generator” ably demonstrates. The title track has some machine gun like blasts which come across as clumsy and an afterthought rather than an integral part of the song. The double bass is clicky but forms that bounce melody that many modern acts seem to add to their music these days.

At times I felt the riffs were a little pedestrian and sluggish in places which give me a reason to suggest that this band has touches of Pantera in their influences, especially on “Insalata Tarantula”. “Eisenfresser” is a much more aggressive track but even here there is a lack of focus as though the guys in the band have not fully decided on which direction to go in. The straight ahead thrash workout of “Why I Hate” feels better and has a direct in your face approach. The production style is a touch tinny for my liking but is crystal clear and punchy, a facet many modern thrash acts seem to favour, not me though. This band has tons of ideas but as the cliché goes it lacks the execution to achieve the desired effect necessary on the listener. As I said previously I did enjoy this album for its riffs and melodies but with 2010 churning out some great albums this will need some serious promotion and airplay for it to catch on. My advice would be to cut the song lengths, change the production style and focus on one particular style or genre, but that’s just me. Worth checking out on myspace for a listen so here’s the link for it.

http://www.myspace.com/debtofnaturemetal