Derealized: Isolation Poetry

Derealized is a French death metal band who released their debut album titled Isolation Poetry in 2016. Although I am a little late to the party we might as well dig into this one, just don’t forget to wear your earplugs. Just kidding, although this is a loud and intense album by any standard.

The band is:
Myriam Fischer (vocals)
Pierre-Emmanuel Fischer (guitars, keyboards, additional vocals)
Mathieu Roger (bass)
Victorien Delacroix (drums)

With the first track “Devil’s Got Green Eyes� there can be no doubt what this band is all about. A mellow guitar intro and slow tempo is interrupted when all hell breaks loose and the rhythmic flurry is unleashed. The guttural vocals match the intensity of the riffs with associated roars dripping with evil-like imagery. The tempo does downshift into slower riffage before speeding up again, demonstrating the band’s technical ability. I will say this song doesn’t have many hooks as its more about the shifting rhythmic patterns and nightmarish soundscapes. As for the vocals I do prefer growls more when clean singing is used as well to break up the aural assault. Still, fans of death metal will find much to appreciate here. A bit more melody can be heard in “The Opium Den� along with neoclassical and doom elements. Still, it’s mostly pummeling drums and crazy tempo changes. “Torment’s Work� follows a similar format although the riffs are more chunky and the use of acoustic guitar works rather well. Again, the band’s ability to change tempos is truly impressive. With the short “Cover My Eyes� the band use some interesting guitar loops and creepy effects creating a nightmarish soundscape without the heavy onslaught. It’s a welcome reprieve from the unending heaviness. Mellow arpeggios begin “Derealized� but fear not as the heaviness does return. I do like how calmer guitar motifs are used to break up the powerful rhythmic battery. The band’s technical ability is again on full display on the album ending title track. Keyboards are used occasionally adding more texture to the heavy metallic elements.

The one drawback for me are the vocals. Although over the last few years I have become more accepting of the growling style I still find it difficult to enjoy an entire album of it. I will say they are done well and serve to further the band’s twisted rhythmic flurries. However, if they were to incorporate some clean vocals it might seal the deal for me. The lack of hooks is also a problem but again this isn’t a slight towards the band’s technical ability. I do like how the band use mellower soundscapes to further add to the tension and overall creepiness.

If you are into death metal you really should check out Derealized. Certainly a band to watch out for in the current death metal scene.

Track Listing:
1. Devil’s Got Green Eyes
2. The Opium Den
3. Torment’s Work
4. Cover My Eyes…
5. …And Tie My Arms With Ivy
6. Derealized
7. Hollow
8. A Late Letter
9. Isolation Poetry

Added: January 30th 2019
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 810
Language: english

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