ALBUM REVIEW: DeathCrawl - "Acceptable Level of Misery"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full length

Date Released: 27/10/2017

Label: Independent

Although DeathCrawl is undeniably vicious, what makes it good and, more importantly, not annoyingly divergent for divergent's sake, is that it never strays too far from the essence of what it does best, delivering 8 tracks of impenetrable doom, and this album is a timely reminder that one of Cleveland's finest bands are back in business.

"Acceptable Level of Misery" CD//DD track listing

1. False Oracle

2. Zenith

3. Universally Diminished

4. Entombed By All The Things We Seek

5. Corrupted Earth

6. No Good At Living

7. Derelict

8. Perpetually Damned

The Review:

Cleveland's DeathCrawl has developed major below the surface buzz for its brand of brutal sludge. Although its output has been slight (with 2008 debut, "The End Is Not Near Enough," the 2010 EP "This Is the Way the World Ends..." and the sophomore full length "Accelerated Rate of Decay" in 2012 to its credit), live shows and a regional renown have made it a Midwest force to be reckoned with.

DeathCrawl, the vehicle of Damon Gregg, Dave Johnson and Jason Luchka, is back with its first release in half a decade. "Acceptable Level of Misery." The trio, veterans of a string of local acts, have cemented their reputation by forging sludge mixed with grindcore, crust and progressive metal. If that seems like an entrancing hybrid, it is. Add to that DeathCrawl share vocal duties among band members, and you encounter a crew that is quite different in many respects.

Although DeathCrawl is undeniably musically vicious, what makes it good and, more importantly, not annoyingly divergent for divergent's sake, is that it never strays too far from the essence of what it does best. The group stretches its creative muscles at many turns, but its members do not get too experimental and risk the listening experience. Thus as opener "False Oracle" smashes you with hardcore, the doom roots of it are never far away. As with "Zenith," there's a bit of grind there, but the doom-nested bass remains prominent. The heavy pendulum swings back to sludge by "Universally Diminished," while welcoming progressive metal to its fold.

Much has been written about DeathCrawl's multi-vocalist attack. If you are not as familiar with the group given its discography, but have heard other performers employ more than one or even two vocalists, the number of looks it gives this band is especially interesting. Each singer has a very individual style, and so the progressive tracks get the right treatment, just as the harder cuts get the singing and/or growling needed to pull of the best cuts possible. DeathCrawl make a statement with entries like "Corrupted Earth," with clean vocal, and "No Good At Living," which blends a snarling lead with a more full-throated singing accompaniment. Again, its diversity for the sake of making better music, as opposed to the malady afflicting a few releases, where groups change it up for no discernible reason.

DeathCrawl's solid return wraps up with "Derelict," a melodic doom metal track, and "Perpetually Damned," which hoes some of the same fields the opener did, almost bookending "Acceptable Level of Misery" in some ways. Both tracks are impenetrable doom, and remind you some of Cleveland's finest are back in business.

"Acceptable Level of Misery" is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM PREMIERE: DeathCrawl unleash the pummelling "Acceptable Level of Misery"

DeathCrawl have been delivering apocalyptic sludge from the rotting carcass of Cleveland, OH since late 2006. Powered by 3 throats, 19 vacuum tubes, 1887 sq. inches of speaker cone, and 1739 sq. inches of drum heads, they unleash a pummelling soundscape of failure, apathy, and violence.

“Acceptable Level of Misery” is the band’s third full length album, and the long-awaited follow-up to 2012’s “Accelerated Rate Of Decay”.

With their 3 pronged vocal attack, their style of blackened sludge mixed with doom and black elements gives their music a nice sinister vibe throughout. And today you can sample their new album “Acceptable Level of Misery” in full ahead of it's release on 27/10/2017.   We guarantee that you will not be disappointed. 

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Deathcrawl- 'Accelerated Rate of Decay' (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 16/10/2012

Label: Independent

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!

 

‘Accelerated Rate of Decay’ CD//DD 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)

Deathcrawl is

"BigMetal" Dave Johnson | Drums, throat, nord.
Damon "the Damonowskivich" Gregg | Guitar, throat.
Jason Luchka | Bass, throat, moog,  accordian.

The 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 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!

You can buy it here. 

FFO: Crowbar, Yob, Thou, Rwake

Band info: Official Facebook Store Bandcamp