DETHONATOR – Dethonator Review

DETHONATOR – Dethonator

Killer Metal Records

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DETHONATOR from the U.K. started their career in 2002 under the name KALEB which they kept until 2009. In 2009 the band changed its name into its current one and in 2010 they released their debut album under the title “Dethonator”. In 2013 they released their sophomore album under the title “Return to Damnation” and in 2014 the EP “Monuments to Dead Gods”. In 2016 the band signed a deal with Killer Metal Records and this is their first release.

As you can understand actually this is a re-release of their debut album back in 2010. The new version has new vocal tracks from the new singer Tristan Lineker and also the songs that are included here are remixed and remastered.

The new cover of the album can be misguiding for those who judge things by its cover especially if you combine it with the band’s name. Personally speaking when I saw the cover I thought that I had to do with a thrash metal band. However, the musical style of the band is a bit more melodic.

Musically the band moves on the path of traditional heavy metal, but believe me they are not your typical heavy metal band that draws influences from the 80’s sound. DETHONATOR has a sound that is original and recognizable and you will realize that from the first time you will listen to them. In their sound you will find influences from bands like IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST, but they also blend them with thrash metal riffs and growls. I don’t know if I can give you an exact description of their sound, but to me they sound as a mixture of traditional heavy metal with a melodic version of NEVERMORE.

The songs in this album offer a variety of melodies, rhythms and emotions to the listener that range from straight heavy metal to thrash-y and epic songs. Personally speaking songs like “Many Have Fallen”, “Wreckers”, “Dethonator” and “In The Place of the Skull” (this one is really epic) stand out and speak for the talent and originality of the band. The only thing that could be better here is the production of the album.

DETHONATOR is a heavy metal band that doesn’t copy the old classics, but gives to its influences its own touch and does it in a very interesting way and due to that they offer us an album that is worth the attention of the heavy metal fan.

Nick “Verkaim” Parastatidis