Dååth – The Deceivers

Written by on 22-06-2024 at 15:27.

Dååth has risen from the dead. Though for a long time, it didn’t seem like it would ever happen. Fans of the American band had to wait for fourteen years. Frontman Eyal Levi had lost all interest in his guitar, but a wordwide virus (I cannot bear to hear that name anymore) forced him to cease all other activities. Although the calluses on his hands were gone, blood is thicker than water. The phonenumber of veteran and singer Sean Zatorsky was yet to be forgotten and thus the writing of new music could begin. In order to form a complete band, Krimh on drums (Septicflesh, amongst others) and Rafael Trujillo on guitar (Obidious and ex-Obscura) were added to the line-up. In addition, Jesse Zuretti on guitar and orchestration (Binary Code) and David Marvuglio on bass (Chuggernaut) make their appearance in the newly formed group. These are quite some mutations. Top that off with guitar solos from guitarists of bands like Ice Nine Kills, Archspire, Scar Symmetry, Periphery and Jeff Loomis (ex-Nevermore, ex-Arch Enemy) and we can’t help but speak of an insane star-studded ensemble. En passant, Jens Bogren was also behind the controls. If you are still not at the edge of your seat by now, we might as well just take down our website.

A very impressive collection of names, that much is certain. At the same time, an incredibly long time has passed between this new and previous work. Even a year longer than Tool kept their fans waiting: a questionable honor. A quick glance on the review of the previous self-titled album shows that even your favorite website can go through quite a metamorphosis in such a long period of time. All this makes one wonder if the sound is still recognizable and which impact the years have had on the musical interpretation. The
short answer: we are, in fact, dealing with a completely new band here. However, Dååth has used the years to mature the musical compositions and add depth and versatility.

First of all, there is amajor role for newcomer Zuretti, who provides the compositions with a hefty symphonic grounding. You can already hear this on the groovy opening track No Rest No End, but it is carried even further on Hex Unending. This does shift the band’s sound from thrashy death to full-on pumped-up symphonic melodic death metal. It was mentioned briefly before, but comparisons to Septicflesh are fitting in this case. Although the sound is even more reminiscent of the Norwegian Deception. That other
newcomer Trujillo further provides a slightly technical and progressive interpretation of the guitar melodies, with all the guest contributors adding another extra heavy layer of metal. On Ascencion, bone crushing riffs welcome the guest contribution of Dean Lamb (Archspire), but the song keeps its distance from the technical feats of his own band. These can then be found on the extremely brutal With Ill Desire, which is reminiscent of Allegaeon and Alustrium in the technical guitar playing. Quite a pinnacle on the album. It ensures that the sound of this new The Deceivers constantly shifts from melodic, to progressive or technical, just to add a touch of thrash (The Silent Foray).

While listening, you will notice how ingeniously the songs are all put together. From brutal riffs, to technical guitar riffs and raging drum parts. Even the orchestral parts all have their clear function and place. All in all, there is a lot going on and the album does not dull for a moment. Yet at the same time, the whole thing feels incredibly loose and the groovy guitars provide both grip and a certain breathing space. The crisp production helps a great deal in this regard. A telling example is Unwelcome Return, with which Dååth shows that the return is actually very welcome. The song rushes by in one big frenzy, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The drumming by newcomer Krimh is truly phenomenal and the soloing is also among the album’s best.

This song seems to have smashed open the barriers. Whereas the first half of the album leans mainly on simpler structures and grooving guitars, the progressive side is pursued more on the second half. Purified By Vengeance is distinctly bombastic, with vocalist Zatorsky showing his best side. The compelling chorus is in itself a highlight of the album. Deserving Of The Grave is another ingenious song, which, with its addictive melodies, manages to only become more captivating after a few listens. At times, there is a nice blackened edge to the guitars, with which the mind wanders to Trivium frontman Matt Heafy’s black metal project Ibaraki. Into The Forgotten Dirt is the closing track and manages to merge the first half of the album with the second half into a worthy ending. Pounding violence is framed by strong guitar control and once again extremely tight drumming of Austrian making (drummer Krimh was born in the Alps).

Dååth has risen from the dead. And how! This can rightly be called a comeback. In fact: the earlier work of this American band stands heavily in the shadow of this new album The Deceivers. In everything, this is the superlative of what was previously unleashed on the world. This does not fool anyone. No, this is pure indulgence.

Score:

86/100

Label:

Metal Blade Records, 2024

Tracklisting:

  1. No Rest No End
  2. Hex Unending
  3. Ascension
  4. With Ill Desire
  5. The Silent Foray
  6. Unwelcome Return
  7. Purified By Vengeance
  8. Deserving Of The Grave
  9. Into Forgotten Dirt

Line-up:

  • Sean Zatorsky – Vocals
  • Eyal Levi – Guitar
  • Rafael Trujillo – Guitar
  • Jesse Zuretti – Guitar, orchestration
  • David Marvuglio – Bass guitar
  • Krimh – Drums

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