The sound of this band is tricky to pin down, but can best be described as a blend of technical thrash, traditional heavy metal and early death metal. Throughout the recording, which is mixed exceptionally well by Mutant's Sam Klempner, the band transition between enticing melody and savage, razor-sharp rhythms to great effect, whipping up a storming aural assault that keeps the listener engaged at all times, such is the variety offered up by the trio.
Paul Fulda (who also lends his incredible bass capabilities to London thrashers Mutant) introduces the EP with an atmospheric, Maiden-esque solo opening upon the beginning of "Pilgrims of the Void", which creates a sense of futuristic dread, something that is eviscerated with the intense groove of the main riff that comes pounding out of the starting gate soon after. Oozing with technical prowess, this song impresses throughout with catchy hooks and memorable vocal lines courtesy of both Fulda and guitarist Sam Mackertich. The soaring highs present in the vocals provide a real sense of ferocity, something that is complimented by the inventive drumming of skin basher James Ashbey, who sees the journey between time signatures travelled with ease and smooth originality.
The influence of bands like Iron Maiden, Coroner and Death is evident throughout all of the tracks, and this crushing blend helps to give this EP a wide appeal, creating an electrical thunderstorm of styles. Musical dynamics are clearly a very important aspect to Deceptor's sound, as songs frantically change pace and feel in a merciless attack upon the listener, but in a way that is always coherent and never feels muddled or ambiguous.
Musically, this EP has seriously raised the bar for emerging thrash bands, due to the tight technicality offered up by this tasty trio, and they stand head and shoulders above most modern bands I have heard because of their unwillingness to conform to stale and regressive stereotypes about what thrash, or indeed heavy metal, should sound like.
With lyrical themes ranging from the navigation of nothingness in outer space to the horrors of nuclear submarine accidents in sub aquatic realms, there should be something in this diverse release to appeal to everyone. If you don't like outer space, you don't like the best of modern thrash, it is basically as simple as that!
I truly cannot recommend this EP highly enough- this band really deserve your attention as they easily decimate the majority of high flying thrash bands in today's scene, and are right up there with Mutant, for me in any case, as the best in British thrash since Sabbat; A bold statement perhaps considering that Deceptor are still unsigned, but I defy any fan of thrash metal to not be held captive under the infectious grooves that this band propel outwards of their mighty metal machine.
Support this class band, the EP is available for a fiver from the following link:
http://deceptor.bigcartel.com/product/soothsayer-e-p
For fans of- Mutant, Iron Maiden, Coroner, Death, Atheist Forbidden, Vektor and Obliveon.
5/5
/L
