DestinityFrance's Destinity have been around since 1996 and have grown and morphed over the course of 5 previous full lengths. They have gone through a black metal stage, a symphonic black/death metal hybrid to their current incarnation of a progressive death metal outfit with some thrash and melody tucked within their song writing. They have somewhat of a similar sound to Arch Enemy, old Soilwork, and Dark Tranquility.
What I really enjoy about these guys is their ability to write a song that is both catchy and yet heavy. Each of the ten tracks on this album have at least one memorable moment; it could be a clean solo to start off the song ("Escaping Reality") or simply a pounding verse with blasting drums and a melodic lead ("My Senseless Theory"). Fuck! I can't forget the melodic staccato riffing in "Still Remember," that shit has been stuck in my head since I first heard it. Shit, even the little sung parts have gotten caught in my head, like the chorus in "Thing I Will Never Feel," "I will never give you what you expect because I never expect something from you." It is just so catchy!
Except for a few exceptions, I am not usually into keyboards or synthesizers, these guys being one them. I guess one of the reasons I enjoy their use of synths is because it is not the focal point of the music; rather than using it for solos it is more used for layering purposes or an occasional lead that accentuates what the guitarists are doing.
Another thing that I am not typically a fan of, and anyone that knows me hears it often, I usually can't stand sung vocals and if I do it has to be done right and again these guys are one of the few bands that I enjoy that do it. First, they do it in the right spots and second they don't sound cheesy and forced. Overall, Mick (vocalist) does an outstanding job of mixing in sung vocals with his more frequently used growls and screams. Now and again he even uses a talked delivery ("Ready To Leave"), which again works in the situation he employs it in. Very impressed with his abilities as a vocalist.
The Hansen brothers did a bang up job on recording these guys. Every instrument has ample room to breath in the mix. The guitars have a phenomenal tone that is both crisp and crunchy. Rather than having the bass tone be treble heavy it has a warm, rounded tone that works really well within the mix. The synths/keyboard are also tactfully placed; never crowding the sonic space, nor taking away from what the rest of the band is doing.
The weakest part of the album is the lyrics but that doesn't mean they are bad, they are so-so. Sometimes the words are not in the proper syntax or outright don't make sense. However, I think a lot of that stems from the language barrier, though the singer screams/sings in English (I wonder if the French version is in French?).
Rating: 4.8/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: "Thing I Will Never Feel," "My Senseless Theory," "Escaping Reality," & "The Inside"
Synopsis: This is some quality fucking metal. Let me be more specific; this is some quality fucking progressive death metal/thrash! It is heavy, yet memorable, something that is not as easy to accomplish as one would think and the transitions are fucking seemless. Even the singing and synths work well and add to the atmosphere of the album. Definitely expect these guys to garner some more attention here in the states.
As I always say, check out the band and decide for yourself. I am but one individual with his own tastes and preferences that are probably much different than yours. With that said, check out these links: