Withering Scorn is a new Frontiers Records metal supergroup featuring guitarist Glen Drover (ex-Megadeth, King Diamond), drummer Shawn Drover (Act Of Defiance, ex-Megadeth), bassist Joe DiBiase (ex-Fates Warning), and vocalist Henning Basse (Metalium). Their debut album Prophets of Demise comes across more as an actual band than many of these other cobbled together all-star project we see from the label, and those who love vintage early '80s heavy metal and thrash will love the cohesive sounds contained on these eight songs. For those who like The Drover's other band Eidolon will certainly find the dark & crunchy stuff going on here, which kicks off with the snarling title track and doesn't let up from there. Glen's blazing leads and massive riffs adorn the heavy "The Vision", and the manic "Pick Up the Pieces", complete with venomous vocals from Henning and Shawn's acrobatic power drumming, could have easily slotted in on any classic Bay Area thrash album from the late '80s. It's great to hear classic era Fates Warning bassist DiBiase in something notable again, and his booming bottom end drives the slower, grinding "Ancient Desire", and he and Shawn are locked in on the busy riff machine "Dark Reflections" and the absolutely blistering "Dethroned". The band even get all dark, moody, doomy, and dare I say proggy on the lengthy closer "Eternal Screams", easily one of the album's highlights, and a direction I'd love to hear them go further in should a second album happen.
This is a really strong album that exceeded expectations, and proof that you can put together an all-star collaboration to positive results. Now, let's get that follow-up guys!
Track Listing
1. Prophets Of Demise
2. The Vision
3. Pick Up The Pieces
4. Ancient Desire
5. Dark Reflection
6. Dethroned
7. Never Again
8. Eternal Screams
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