Year: 2020
Total Time: 47:33
Label: Listenable Records
DISBELIEF was formed in 1990, being one of the most significant German Death Metal bands at that time (in my opinion, there weren’t many bands back then). Their first album was released in 1997 and they are still active since then, releasing albums, not always exceptionally successful, we must admit. The main and original member is Karsten Jagger, who was also the singer in MORGOTH’s “Ungod” which was released in 2015.
This feature hue of his voice ranks him along with Martin Van Drunen and Karl Willets on a podium of singers with exceptional pronunciation of speech. DISBELIEF play Death Metal the old way, with a well-polished, modern day production, but still throwing glances over their shoulders to the glorious past and flirting with melodies that ARCH ENEMY introduced. The same titled song tries to sound like BOLT HROWER but without any success. There are mid 90’s Death Metal moments such “Scaring Threat” and “The Awakening”, thrashy songs like “Depth Of Sorrow” and the melodic trend that was mentioned above is prominent in “Killing To The Last” and “Soul Constructor”. In this record there are no guitar solos, extended styles and constant tempo changes, just rhythm and groovy Death Metal. Except Karsten’s voice his bandmates are playing specific things without bells and whistles.
DISBELIEF is not the band that reinvents Death Metal, nor it adds exotic things in the music either, showing us that it learns from the past and the indifferent albums of the 00’s. “The Ground Collapses” isn’t the big deal and probably is not going to attract new audience. There is not a single melody that will stick to your head and the only thing left after the listening session is Karsten’s performance. For all the listeners who want their Death Metal pure but with a modern production, DISBELIEF released an honest record, not a masterpiece. If they stick to this particular element and stop the relapses of their past, when the time will come for their next release we will be here to discuss it under better conditions.
Rating: 6/10
Editor: Dimos Karadimos
Related Link: DISBELIEF – Official Page
