Total Devastation: Wreck

Total Devastation's third album showcases pure and raw death metal. It has most of the elements that you would expect - harsh vocals, double bass, and heavy distorted guitars. However, there is not a heavy dose of blistering guitar solos. This seems to be somewhat of a trend in newer thrash and death metal. I'm not sure why, but I'm hearing a lack of shredding guitars. Perhaps people are tired of playing the same scales over and over, or perhaps it's just a lack of skill.

Total Devastation is not bathing in originality, but they do have enough going for them that they can stand out. For example, there are some futuristic sounds coming from keyboards included on various songs. It adds a neat effect to the songs and makes them stand out. Further, total Devastation plays very tight, solid music and deserves acclamation for that. Overall the songs held my interest with the varying speeds, guitar fills, and riffs that involve way more than just three chords. The album is definitely heavy, without being overly drowned about by distortion. I appreciate the quality of the production of this album which fits the darkness and heaviness of the album, while allowing the guitars and vocals to be fairly clear.

Unlike many death metal bands that I have listened to as of late, Total Devastation writes clear songs. It would not be difficult to pick out the songs in a live setting as long as you are familiar with the band. In the future I hope the band starts to include some more lead guitar, and continues to strengthen their song writing (even though they are better at it than many death metal bands already). But this is one of the better death metal albums I've heard in a while.

Track Listing
1. Some Random
2. Aware
3. Collision Course
4. The Great Revelation
5. Surveillance
6. Twitcher
7. Unsung Hero
8. High Standard
9. Massive Manmade Burning
10. Way to Better
11. Wreck

Added: February 5th 2007
Reviewer: Scott Borre
Score:
Related Link: Total Devastation Website
Hits: 2919
Language: english

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