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Warfect - Spectre Of Devastation review




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Reviewer:
7.2

26 users:
7.73
Band: Warfect
Album: Spectre Of Devastation
Release date: November 2020


01. Spectre Of Devastation
02. Pestilence
03. Rat King
04. Left To Rot
05. Hail Caesar
06. Into The Fray
07. Colossal Terror
08. Witch Burner
09. Dawn Of The Red

Quite the spectacle.

Sweden's Warfect have been making inroads lately into the thrash scene, raising their profile slowly but surely over the preceding years with a series of releases that have put their name on the tongues of people discussing some of the better thrash from the underground scene. Their reward has been a record deal with Napalm Records, with this, Spectre Of Devastation being their first release with the band and one that shows that Warfect are aiming to make the most of their time there.

Warfect are a power trio with an emphasis on power, focusing on the high-tempo end of thrash that will create whirlwinds coming out of your speakers. While the band are speed merchants, they ensure such velocity is not their sole weapon, with a level of intracity so impressive at such speeds that it makes you wonder if each member is secretly a member of The Borg in disguise. "Rat King" and "Witch Burner" are as solid as songs as they are as evidence as to how human each member can actually be.

Spectre Of Devastation sees an improvement in production quality for the band compared to prior releases, benefitting greatly by the involvement of thrash luminary Flemming Rasmussen in mastering the album. Though the album lacks much in the way of character in terms of production style, it provides a solid blank canvas for Warfect to put their work on top of and it works greatly as a platform for the band. "Into The Fray" is a solid example of how they are able to project themselves sonically, utilizing all the space at their disposal as each note flies by you like a crisp packet in a hurricane.

Wester's vocals are modelled off of Sodom's Angelripper, which in terms of influences is a solid choice. While it does lack in originality, the band go some way in at least making sure it fits into the music like an iron fist in a velvet glove by way of compensation, with tracks like "Pestilence" being well suited for it.

Flood's high-paced drumming is as impressive as it is a bit monotonous; while he does have moments peppered across the album (such as on tracks like "Witch Burner") where his focus is on groove and on filling in the slow sections, his throwing of the kitchen sink does see him overplay for much fo the album. Though he is certainly skilled behind a drum kit, of that there can be no denying, he does overwhelm the album without providing enough diversity.

While Spectre Of Devastation is certainly a spectacle, the one thing it really lacks is a highly memorable track onto which the band can hang their hats. For as good and impressive as these tracks are, few moments will immerse themselves deep into your consciousness long after playing the album. While the speed and precision playing will reverberate around your skull, they never truly take the shape or form of a specific track or piece of music that elevates a good song to a great song. With that said, however, the album is certainly a fun listen while you have it on and I can't deny it is worth replaying several times.

Warfect have yet again continued to make strides in the right direction and continue to show progress, which is slowly but surely being rewarded. Spectre Of Devastation is a solid start for the group on a larger label; though it has its issues here and there, they have started out well and made an enjoyable album, and offer themselves and their fans a solid chance to advance even further.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 7
Songwriting: 6
Originality: 6
Production: 8





Written on 24.11.2020 by Just because I don't care doesn't mean I'm not listening.


Comments

Comments: 2   Visited by: 33 users
25.11.2020 - 12:17
Rufus Valentine
Account deleted
Decent review. Their debut LP was average Metallica cloneism but they have actually been solid since - especially 'Exoneration Denied'. Look forward to checking this out when I get a free moment.
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25.11.2020 - 14:30
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
This is killer piece. Good old school onslaughter
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