GOD DETHRONED „The Toxic Touch”

Music: Melodic Death Metal
Country: Holland
Website: www.goddethroned.com
Cool Songs: 2014, on Wings of Pestilence, The Day you Died, Fail to Exist

The Toxic Touch is Hollands GOD DETHRONEDs follow up album to their 2004 album Liar of the White Worm. Their previous effort was a concept album based on Bram Stokers story of the same name. The Toxic Touch is a concept album in its own right. Although not every song follows the same concept, there are two themes running throughout the album. One theme deals with personal issues pertaining to self-destruction. The other concept centers on the infamous 19th Century Plague spreader known as “Typhoid Mary” Mallon. Song titles such as Faithless, Hating Life, Falling Down, and The Day You Died all send out feelings of helplessness and frustration. The puke green background color on the albums artwork accentuates the sick feeling at the sight of hypodermic needles seen through out the lyric booklet, back, and cover of the album. On the Wings of Pestilence and Typhoid Mary recreate the hysteria provoked by Typhoid Mary.”

Musically, the band stays consistent with the style it is best know for, using down tuned death metal, dramatic breaks, and passionate melodies. The melodies are what make The Toxic Touch a memorable listen. Most of the tracks feature forceful, chugging rhythms that wind down into a chorus highlighted by technical, melodious soloing. The apocalyptic serenade 2014 begins with a destructive groove. Just like the mighty Iron Maiden, the guitarist adds a higher note to make the music more intense. Finger-tapped notes combined with an ascending riff create a feeling of impending doom during the chorus.

Another track displaying music that climbs the fret board dramatically is The Day You Died. The verse notes start low and climb an octave higher during each lyrical line. The tension seems to burst when the chorus arrives. The group chugs away a nondescript rhythm during the chorus to draw attention to the wailing guitar melody. The way they utilize solos to create harmonies during the choral parts is reminiscent of the Amott brothers in ARCH ENEMY.

Although the harder rhythms do not stick in my mind as much as the melodies, they are still noteworthy. There are several songs containing riffs sure to cause many heads to bang. Falling Down features string work in the style of Gothenburg, Swedens best axe slingers, most notably DIMENSION ZERO. On the Wings of Pestilence opens with a muffled death metal speed riff that soon opens in a trotting chug. This chug causes me to imagine Typhoid Mary stalking her prey. The pace seems to hover at the chorus through diabolic, tremolo-picked notes, which are the perfect playing style for this part because this is where Mary communicated her disease. Her victims vision becomes blurred, massive pain attacks his body, and he dies!

GOD DETHRONED never seems to disappoint. Lyrically and thematically they may slightly change, which keeps them from stagnating. Musically, they continue to tread the same path they first set out on with their Metal Blade debut The Grand Grimoir. Although their rhythms do not capture my attention like their first two albums on Metal Blade, The Grand Grimoir and Bloody Blasphemy, their melodies continue to improve. With The Toxic Touch God Dethroned has maintained its position as one of the worlds best melodic death metal bands!

note: 8/10

Tracklist

1. Faithless
2. Hating Life
3. 2014
4. Falling Down
5 On Wings of Pestilence
6. The Day you Died
7. Away from Emptiness
8. Macabre World
9. Typhoid Mary
10. Fail to Exist
Total Playing Time: 39:17

Line-up

Henri Sattler – Vocals, Guitar
Isaac Delahaye – Guitar
Henk Zinger – Bass
Arien Van Weesenbeek – Drums