Welcome to the wacky world of Italian metal act Destrage. These guys are building up quite a reputation in Europe, so it's pretty timely that their third effort, Are You Kidding Me? No. is being launched internationally through Metal Blade Records in hopes of worldwide domination.
Finding ways to describe Destrage is not an easy task. I'd almost say it's somewhat of a stretch to full call this band purely metal, as they throw many styles at the listener for an almost dizzying experience at times. Plenty of blazing guitar riffs & solos courtesy of Ralph Salati and Matteo Di Dioia, who are quite adept at extreme styled passages as well as the occasional prog or jazz noodling. Lead singer Paolo Colavolpe can also seemingly do it all, from soaring clean passages, to screamo, death metal growls, and a more theatrical, operatic pop wail. Many of the songs have a chaotic feel to them (vocally & instrumentally) bringing to mind Strapping Young Lad, Dillinger Escape Plan,or even System of a Down, but the band definitely has their own thing going on for sure. Highlights are many, but the shredding guitar & catchy melodies of "Destroy Create Transform Sublimate", the death metal meets pop of "Host, Rifles, & Coke" , the stop/start complex guitar pyrotechnics of "G.O.D.", and the absolutely insane "Waterpark Bachelorette" are all must hears. And, "Before, After, and All Around" is addicting all the way around...no way of getting around this one!
The offbeat & schizophrenic nature of Are You Kidding Me? No. probably won't be for everyone, but there's no denying there's certainly an audience who will eat this stuff up, especially here in North America. The guitar work is just off the charts, and if you dig varied vocal styles, there's everything but the kitchen sink here. Give it a try.
Track Listing
1) Destroy Create Transform Sublimate
2) Purania
3) My Green Neighbor
4) Hosts, Rifles, & Coke
5) G.O.D.
6) Where the Things Have No Colour
7) Waterpark Bachelorette
8) Before, After, and All Around
9) -(Obedience)
10) Are You Kidding Me? No.
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