Death metal bands aren't generally filled with happiness and light, but God Dethroned is especially dark and downbeat on their latest CD. The first song on the CD is "Hating Life," which includes lyrics such as "I hate this life, I have paid my dues, I don't see the light, so I won't stick around." And with songs about Typhoid Mary and other titles such as "On Wings Of Pestilence," their misery is our reward.
The Toxic Touch is a little slower in tempo and more melodic than some of their past CDs. They are still plenty brutal, but the songs are much catchier with fewer blast beats and more groove. Isaac Delahaye and Henri Sattler's guitar work work is impressive and ranges from simple but effective thrash riffs to more complex riffs and solos.
Sattler's vocals are harsh and aggressive, but completely understandable, which for me is always a plus on death metal albums. Some lyrics are better left unintelligible, but Sattler's dark and depressing writing is pretty good.
This is a CD that should maintain God Dethroned's underground credibility, but also drawn in a wider audience.
