DeathCrawl- Accelerated Rate of Decay (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 16 Oct 2012

Label: Self - Released

 

 

Track Listing

1) Burned Out 07:46

2) Kill Or Be Killed 04:04

3) Dead Is Dead 05:27

4) Blight 6:58

5) Disturbing The Earth 08:43

6) Maginot 05:11

7) Despite Our Best Efforts 05:20

8) Lucifer's Hammer 06:20

 

Bio

Human history is littered with the wreckage of our differences; a plague of insanity, jealousy, and contempt. DeathCrawl is the soundtrack to this hopeless cycle of boom and bust.

Rooted in the Northeast Ohio metal underground, the band was founded by "BigMetal" Dave Johnson and Jason Luchka. Johnson, a well-known figure in the Cleveland scene, made a name for himself by playing bass in a number of iconic Cleveland bands, including hardcore/metal legends Ascension and his current duties with thrash-assassins Soulless. He also played on and/or engineered recordings from Son of Jor-El, King Travolta, and Fistula. Luchka had been huddled in Akron-area basements jamming obscure rock and roll with The Gingerdead Men and These Lakes, These Graves.

After a few drummers came and went, the two settled in on DeathCrawl with Johnson on drums and Luchka on bass. The talents of Damon Gregg (A Better Lie, Pistols at Dawn, Pirates of the Cuyahoga) were enlisted on guitar in November 2006 and DeathCrawl was officially born. It was decided that no front man was needed, as the trio would each share in a diverse vocal attack.

The initial aesthetic of depressingly slow, low-tuned, crusty doom eventually gave way to include mid-tempo grooves, progressive riffs, and even grindcore elements as DeathCrawl evolved. By spring of 2008, the band had written, recorded, designed, and released their first album, 'The End is Not Near Enough.' Described by some as epic and others as unrelenting, the album set the tone for the type of apocalyptic sludge DeathCrawl favored. The release of the album coincided with the band's foray into the local club scene, decimating eardrums from Akron to Parma. They have since shared the stage with a varied list of bands including Black Tusk, Lungs, and A Storm of Light.

The trio recorded their follow-up EP during the winter months of 2009 for a label that went silent, ultimately self-releasing "This is the Way the World Ends" in the fall of 2010. DeathCrawl was also invited to contribute to "This is Good: A Tribute to Black Flag" on Land O' Smiles Records, also released in late 2010.
2012 sees the completion of "Accelerated Rate of Decay", the second full-length record from DeathCrawl. A step forward both sonically and musically, this slab of apocolyptic nihilism will pummel your soul. Once again, a complete DIY affair, written, recorded, and layout concieved by the band. The CD is available starting October 16th, 2012

DeathCrawl is
"BigMetal" Dave Johnson: Drums. Throat. Nord.
Damon "the Damonowskivich" Gregg: Guitar. Throat.
Jason Luchka: Bass. Throat. Moog. Accordian.

 

Review

 

Ohio seems like a perfect place for a band such as DeathCrawl to hail from- being as the state is on the cusp of several areas of the US it is not quite a part of any of them. It is almost the Mid West, almost the North East and even borders the much more southern flavoured Kentucky.

 

Similarly, DeathCrawl use diversity to their advantage. There are elements of black, doom and more progressive material in the sludge on this, their second full length.  From the ominous, droning feedback that ushers in Burned Out it is clear that Accelerated Rate of Decay is going to be a somewhat different listen. The vocals come in early with a distinctly black metal flavour. There are crashing chords and sludge type riffing to savour with some distinct and odd rhythms powering things along. There is also a cyclical structure and even, dare I say it... hooks. A burst of pace towards the end means that this opener sets out DeathCrawl's stall early on- the record is diverse but unifies perfectly.

 

Kill or Be Killed follows up well with a slow start being replaced by a ride driven groove. The whole track clips along at a head nodding pace- even some very black metal sections splice in seamlessly with varied vocal approaches holding the listener's attention.  Dead is Dead brings in a southern-esque groove to start and the riff gives the vocal chance to breathe and again create a hooky verse structure- this is great stuff and builds well to double bass drums being used to good effect with clever progressions of the main motif in the riffing. There are time changes aplenty that lead to a chugging build up. In itself, this gives way to a fine groove based riff.  DeathCrawl have many hats and they wear each one with aplomb! There are three vocals that you can hear on the record- from their website it is confirmed that there is no front man as such as all three band members share vocal duties. This is a great move as it prevents the record from ever being one dimensional and allows each song or even riff to get the appropriate flavour. Much like Bob Dylan's famous backing group The Band; DeathCrawl allow the best person to do the best job for each piece of music. This approach will really hold your attention when you listen to the record, that's for sure!

 

Blight stands out for me due to the catchy riffs which kick things off at a fair pace. Once again, the rhythms are unusual with plenty of percussive flourishes from “BigMetal” Dave Johnson on drums. Sludge is again prevalent in this track and around the four minute mark a weird metallic effect backs a droning riff to play the track out to a very effective feedback drenched close. Disturbing the Earth starts with slow doom after a ride count in from the previous track. DeathCrawl again keep the listener on their toes by introducing a rather effective (non sellout) and rather trad doom clean vocal! More traditional sludge follows with a nifty use of double tracked high and low vocals brought in for a nice production touch. The seven minutes plus of this track are punctuated by changeable riff patterns and grooves that mesh together very well with the vocal approaches taken- the cyclical song writing approach works superbly and again gives a unified hooky feel that allows the listener to immerse themselves in the record without feeling disorientated. The song finishes around the seven minute mark and is succeeded by odd soaring sound effects that continue for a further one and half minutes. It is great to know that the art of album writing is still alive and well- all these passages have their place. No need to use a shuffle function on this record (or ever, for that matter).

A drum intro combines with bass from Jason Luchka to set up the opening strains of Maginot before this foundation is expanded by superb riffing from Damon Gregg. It is incredible that there are only three members of DeathCrawl- this really is a power trio to be reckoned with. The song writing here is choppy and pacey. The guitars work discordant magic over a solid rhythm section. Look out for the riff around the minute mark- it's a killer! Despite Our Best Efforts gifts us a longer instrumental passage to start with and then switches to a snail’s pace for some horrific vocals in  the blackened sludge vein. Thereafter, monolithic riffs trade space with imaginative vocals. Pick scratches are used to great effect through the middle sections here before the seemingly unwieldy title is used as a chant to finish the song off.

The superbly titled Lucifer's Hammer uses feedback and effects (moog?) to introduce the record's magnum opus. The old half time/double time trick is given new life here as nice passages of riffing intertwine with vocal dexterity. The faster pace suits the band and album here as it gives a feeling of the record's end drawing near. Indeed, some of the best riffs on the album are to be found here. The final minute utilises feedback and effects again as the album ends how it began.

Overall, this superb record should enthuse the listener to listen to it again and again- its blackened sludge mixed with doom and black elements make it a varied and worthwhile listen. Acclerated Rate of Decay has it all- great vocals, cool production tricks, riffs to rewind repeatedly and a nice sinister vibe throughout. Try it and I guarantee that you will not be disappointed!

Written by: Richard Maw

Big thanks to "BigMetal" Dave for hooking us up with the record for review.  Do yourselves a favour and buy this record, trust us, you won't be disappointment!  You can buy it here.  For more info on the band.  Check the links below

 

Official Facebook Store Bandcamp