CoC : Desecrator - Negative Progress : Review

Desecrator - _Negative Progress_
(Independent, 2001)
by: Adrian Bromley (7 out of 10)

It is safe to say that Desecrator are indeed good musicians -- just listen to their latest offering _Negative Progress_ --, but I do think a name change is in order. Desecrator sounds like some basement dwelling, brutal death metal act out to shred more riffs than humanly possible, and not a name associated with a gifted prog metal / '80s inspired metal act from New York. In the vein of Iced Earth and Jag Panzer, throw in some synth-inspired ideas a la Rush/Styx and the epic range of early Iron Maiden, and you have the sound of this band. Good, long and interesting song structures for the most part can be found here, with only the cover of the Kansas classic "Dust in the Wind" having me shake my head with some form of uneasiness as I listened to it. Great song, wrong band to cover it. Anyway, the music of Desecrator flows with a deep sense of melody and strong guitar work, aided nicely by intense vocal ranges. While I was excited over the work of another prog metal-tinged band (see Monument), Desecrator make a real lasting impression here. I hope they change their name, 'cause I really think it'll give people the wrong impression of what they are all about. Plus, they'll miss out on the truly impressive numbers like "Strive for Perfection" and "The Struggle Between Good and Evil" if they don't give them a chance.

Contact: P.O. Box 170 Celoron, NY 14720, USA

(article published 13/5/2001)