Project Description
DEPRAVITY
‘Evil Upheaval’
(Album Review)
28/03/18
by Chris Reid
.
.
Over the last few years Depravity have established themselves to be Australia’ best kept secret in extreme metal. But after listening to Evil Upheaval I can safely say that Depravity wont remain a secret for much longer.
Since their formation in 2016 Depravity have wasted no time releasing Reign of the Depraved EP and are set to release their debut album entitled Evil Upheaval through Transcending Obscurity Records on April 30.
The band get down to business with the aptly named Manic Onslaught. This track sets the tone nicely with macabre sound bite laying the backdrop for what is yet to come. It doesn’t take long from the bands full fury to be unleashed. The song is typified by brutal riffing, pummelling drums and powerful deep growls. It’s a perfect opener.
Insanity Reality continues in a similar vein, but it is even more intense. Although much of the song is ‘blast beat laden fury’ I really enjoy the moments where the guitars have some space to create a really sinister atmosphere.
It is obvious after only a couple of tracks that this band have spent years honing their craft. The members of Depravity are technically brilliant on their respective instruments and are obviously very competent song writers too. Whilst natives of Perth and fans of the their previous bands (Malignant Monster, The Furor, Gallows for Grace, Inanimacy, and many more) will approach this album understanding the calibre of musicians in Depravity, I have no doubt that Evil Upheaval will exceed the expectations of any fan who listens to a bands debut album with expectations set below perfection.
.
.
Repugnant & Despondency continue to showcase the sort of tangible aggression and brutality which will see this band appeal to new and old school fans of death metal alike. Louis Rando’s drumming is particularly impressive, but the duel guitar attack from Jarrod Curley and Lynton Cessford is also worthy of note – they construct ferocious riffs and otherworldly lead melodies which give Evil Upheaval it’s hellacious soul. Jamie Kay’s vocals compliment the band’s sound particularly well too – He has one of the most powerful deep growls I’ve come across and delivers the lyrics with enough clarity to allow them to be deciphered by the listener (by death metal standards anyway!). Ansley Watkins’ bass line lock in perfectly with the drums and guitars and rumble away with power and control.
The Great Divide starts with a bit of breathing space, which is well timed when you consider how bone crushingly heavy Evil Upheaval has been to this point. But theres no time to get too comfortable, because after the initial display of restraint The Great Divide simply explodes into what is arguably more chaotic and sinister than anything that has preceded it. I really like this track – it showcases the full range of Depravity’s sound.
Victimizer is another pummelling track cut from the same cloth as the vast majority of the album – ‘blast beats & fury R us’.
Tormented has a bit of a modern groove about the main riff, which is a nice change up at this stage of the release. Good timing for mere mortals like myself who might otherwise start to wilt under the extreme weight of the material. But don’t let that fool you into assuming this song isn’t a crusher either, because there isn’t a single track on this release which doesn’t pummel you to submission at some point.
The album was mixed and mastered at Hertz Studios (Behemoth, Vader), and is every bit as polished and precise as a major label death metal release. The artwork by Alex Tartsus (De Profundis, Sinister) is a particularly head turning and diabolical image – It is the perfect match for the music, and there is no track which captures the fury of Depravity better than the title track Evil Upheaval.
.
.
Vile Defloration is closes out the album in style. Much like The Great Divide & Tormented this track allows the band to play with more dynamics than the usual ‘jackhammer to the face’ (which seems to be Depravity’s default setting). I really like this track, and think it is a fantastic choice to close out the album.
After listening through Evil Upheaval I’m stuck by the pure aggression and all round legitimacy of the material. Evil Upheaval is death metal as it was originally intended and captures the same blend of controlled chaos and malicious intent which was captured on Morbid Angel’s early work. Make no mistake, this album is just as technically proficient and polished as a major label DM release, but contains a level of legitimate fury which is uncommon in todays day and age. Whilst Depravity will clearly appeal do die hard death metal fans with a penchant for the old school, I have no doubts that this album will be well received by fans of newer death metal styles too.
.
10 Skulls out of 10.
Highly recommended for fans of – Immolation, Morbid Angel, Hour of Penance, Suffocation
.
Connect with Depravity!
Website | Facebook | Label
.
.
