As soon as the listener presses, the play button, the opening piece Welcome to the… greets them with a progressive instrumental and vocals. This entices the listener to their continue with the remaining music and lyrical themes of inner turmoil, existential struggles, and the darker aspects of human nature.
Destroyers of All is a furious forty-two-minute journey through sound, encapsulated in nine tracks, including a brief intro that barely lasts a minute. This extreme metal offering from Portugal shatters the limits of heaviness, presenting a raw and unfiltered musical experience. Immersing the listener in a mind-bending fusion of the frenetic energy of thrash metal, the unrelenting ferocity of death metal, the chilling ambiance of black metal, and the intricate layers of progressive rock. The result is a maelstrom of aggression, technical prowess, and melodic depth that captivates and overwhelms.
Destroyers of All and their album, In Darkness We Remain, presents an unparalleled onslaught of aggression, meticulously crafted in a single sitting. The sound is enveloped in a production that achieves sonic perfection, where every note and tone resonates with clarity. This fruit of art not only showcases an immaculate auditory experience but also excels in its lyrical and musical composition, arrangement and devilmanship. The band’s artistry shines through a refined execution, featuring intricate guitar work that weaves complex riffs and solos, supported by thunderous bass riffs that ground their elaborate structures. The drumming propels the rhythm with precision and unyielding energy, infusing the music with an intense drive. Additionally, João Mateus delivers a powerful and dynamic vocal performance that harmonizes seamlessly with the band’s sound. His raw intensity evokes a spirit reminiscent of Max Cavalera, infusing each track with an emotional depth that elevates the entire experience.
Listeners are in for a multifaceted experience, as each track offers its own unique flavour. The fourth piece, Neurosis, stands out, intertwining hauntingly beautiful melodies with a whirlwind of chaos, creating moments of deep reflection that sharply contrast with the exhilarating riff frenzy. Gehenna delivers an electrifying display of guitar prowess, while the rhythm section shines brightly, featuring robust and resonant bass lines that provide a solid foundation with remarkable precision. Cold embraces a chilling, slow-paced progressive rock vibe, enveloping the audience in mesmerizing riffs, rhythmic drum patterns, and captivating vocals.
Together, they create a sound that is both heavy and innovative, pushing the boundaries of extreme metal. By not only blending extreme metal also incorporating hard rock and progressive rock, adding depth and character -yet nothing feels rushed, every note is perfectly balanced, time to perfection, arranged and composed. It feels like everyone has their moment in each song.
Destroyers of All does not relent in their heavy and extreme sound, from the of their second track Ritual, until the last note echoes from your speakers. For fans of Revocation, Pantera, and Death, this record is a must-listen.
As the album comes to a closing piece, While My Guitar Gently Weeps. As the music weeps away, we would like to thank The Metallist PR for allowing us to review Destroyers of All and their album, In Darkness We Remain.
