Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Zyklon returns with a release that walks the middle ground., June 11, 2006
Here's where I stand regarding Zyklon. I am aware of the accomplishments of members Samoth and Trym, both of whom helped to make Emperor into the all-star of black metal, and therefore I gave Zyklon the benefit of the doubt after they released "Aeon," which I was quite disappointed with, and purchased "Disintegrate," hoping, as it were, that they would have more or less reverted back to their unique black metal/death metal hybrid style heard on the marvelous "World Ov Worms." "Aeon" was certainly more `brutal' and `pummeling' than the grinding "World Ov Worms," but I also found it to be, in the simplest term, boring. "Disintegrate" is somewhere between "Aeon" and "World Ov Worms" as far as the style and evolution of Zyklon goes. It is certainly faster than "Aeon," but still more down-tuned and chug-laden than "World of Worms". It follows that I like "Disintegrate" more than "Aeon" but less than "World of Worms".
I never doubt the musical capabilities of Zyklon. They are tight, highly competent musicians, and their songs are generally well constructed and more or less interesting. On this, their newest release, Zyklon is treading familiar ground. Trym has decided to bring back the blast beats--not that they were missing on "Aeon," but they're certainly more prevalent on "Disintegrate"--and the fret-sliding, rhythmically intriguing guitar work that appeared on both Zyklon's previous releases is in full force. The quality of the recording is equivalent to that heard on "Aeon," meaning that the production is heavy and clear with lots of guitar chunk and thick, triggered drums a la your average death metal record. I personally prefer the production on "World Ov Worms" which was more in line with a black metal sound than death metal. This might have something to do with what has changed the most about Zyklon's sound over their three-album catalogue.
What does "Disintegrate" offer as far as progress and experimentation? There are plenty of guitar solos and mid-paced thrash sections that deserve mentioning. Perhaps neither are new to Zyklon, but both are better-written into the songs and feature more prominently than on prior recordings. The songs on "Disintegrate" seem to flow more freely than anything on "Aeon" and are certainly more interesting in their composition. The fleeting melody factors here and their on the album, and when accompanied by Odd Tony's throaty vocals--which, I must add, pale in comparison to Vidar's work on "World of Worms"--create energized moments that stand out.
In summary, if you enjoyed "Aeon" you'll certainly enjoy "Disintegrate". You'll immediately recognize Zyklon, and more brooding tracks such as "A Cold Grave" will make you feel right at home. If you're like me, however, and found yourself wishing that Zyklon hadn't strayed so far from their work on "World of Worms," you will have to take caution with this release. As I said, it sits somewhere between their previous two albums. I am certainly not disappointed with "Disintegrate," but when a band makes such a killer debut (I should really shut up about "World OV Worms," but I can't) it is hard not to compare everything to their finest hour.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another awsome album!, July 10, 2006
If you liked the other two albums you'll like this one too. I find Zyklon's lyrical subject matter to be thought provoking. Full of disgust for humanity and its no wonder music like this doesnt get more popular it speaks of the truths in humanity or the lack there of humanity and people dont like the truth. Ignorance is bliss but then again i think that most people that listen to this music and others like it and comprehend it is amongst the few people who are truly sane in this world of trends and sheep.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Third time's the charm for Zyklon, February 14, 2008
Aside from being really easy to find in any well-alphabetized music collection, Norway's Zyklon are renowned for one other thing: they formed out of the ashes of a little band called Emperor. But unlike many bands of its kind, Zyklon clearly see no point in even trying to deny their past and roots. Frontmen Zamoth and Trym took a three year hiatus from the band to do some live shows with their old band, and they've even recruited former Emperor drummer Faust to write the lyrics for Zyklon's new album (and third full-length), "Disintegrate." Plus, even though their new band will never be fully out of the shadow of their old one, they have already built quite a name for themselves in the metal community.
"Disintegrate" is a ferocious, angry, unrelenting death metal album with black and thrash metal tinges, and a light dusting of industrial elements. (Think Emperor meets Morbid Angel meets Behemoth meets Slayer.) "Disintegrate" is definitely the album in Zyklon's discography that is influenced the least by industrial, but at the same time, it is also arguably the band's most experimental. The high, creepy, atonal screaming/shrieking vocals in "Subversive Faith," "A Cold Grave," "Wrenched" (which is also highlighted by machine gun riffs and a blazing solo) and especially the shockingly slow, spacey, and ambient set closer ("Skinned and Endangered") are an interesting twist, and add a freaky dissonance that reminds of some Kreator and Napalm Death material. Suffice it to say, I'll be darned if your skin doesn't crawl while listening to these songs. And am I just imagining things, or are those honest-to-god hardcore breakdowns (complete with textbook yells of "go!") in "Ways of the World" and "Vile Ritual"? (The former is also noteworthy for its excellent, 45-second-long, wailing solo, and almost shout-worthy, mosh pit-ready chorus.)
Is all this a bit too much for ya? Well don't worry too much, because the album still has plenty of stuff that will pull you right back down to earth. For example, what metalhead wouldn't enjoy sinking his teeth into such breakneck numbers as "Vulture," and the mosh-pit-ready opener, "In Hindsight"? These two should satisfy even the most stubborn blackened death metal purists, and are about as subtle as being clocked over the head with a block of cement. They are bursting with blistering, propulsive, buzzsaw riffing, Morbid Angel-inspired leads, commanding, forceful bellows, churning double bass drums, pummeling blast beats, and ripping solos that add a little melody to the arrangements. Elsewhere, the title track boasts a catchy, galloping rhythm, marching tempo, and hardcore-ish gang shout, and finally, track seven, "Underdog," doesn't really stand out very much, but it is still super brutal, and thus, definitely not worth skipping, either.
"Disintegrate" is Zyklon's best and most realized, accomplished, interesting, and well-rounded work to date. It is not a really mindblowing or groundbreaking album, but it is a slab of good, quality, very solid, and thoroughly listenable extreme metal. Definitely worth checking out for everybody with a more-than-passing interest in the genre.
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