Customer Reviews

Two (Poverty)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is so good that I felt compelled to write my first Amazon review. After purchasing One (Hellbound) and falling in love with it, buying this was a given. One real-life comment is that I have almost wrecked my car a couple times while listening to this album; I am sure people thought I was drunk or nuts, or both.

While the sound is fairly Slayer-ish as one reviewer noted (no problem with that!), it is unique its own right. The overall arrangement and balance of the sound is excellent. I find the tonality "full" or "rich" however one might describe it. Per my tastes, this is probably the best sounding/mixed metal album I have heard. Everything "sits" well within the overall sound. And finally, if you enjoy riff-based metal, which I do, there are few things I have heard that are better. Prepare for a sore neck. Highly, highly recommended.

Notables: Engineer, Knuckle Eye, Leprosaic Belief

Demiricous are living proof that sometimes there is such a thing as truth in advertising in the music industry. So many people get off easy by signing to a major, well-funded record label, and essentially letting them do all the work by widely broadcasting self-flattering descriptions. Too often, though, the band fails to live up to the hype (and in some cases, one even has to question why they were ever signed in the first place.) This quartet is an exception to that rule, though. Sure, attached Metal Blade and becoming pretty successful for what is still a young group. But they did not let these things go to their heads. There is an undeniable feeling that still have something to prove, and are not content merely to "coast" or go soft any time soon. Plus, when said label really starts to up the promotion, it only adds more fuel to the fire. Product descriptions read things like: "Unleashes pure, unadulterated, high octane metal." And, in a refreshingly honest move, the band make good on the tag line's promise, and are sure to "unleash" (both heavy metal and themselves) in spades.

That much is a given, because Demiricous have always done that. However, there is one huge surprise heard here, and that would be a instantly noticeable tweak in their sound. It isn't exactly the same thing as, say, Metallica's "Load" or Dissection's "Reinkaos," seeing how it isn't nearly controversial enough to rustle many feathers. (A more apt comparison would be to the move that Decapitated made with "Organic Hallucinosis.") Still, there is absolutely no mistaking that the 2006 and 2007 versions of Demiricous are substantially different. See, the previous year's debut, "One (Hellbound)," was a prime piece Eighties-worthy, Slayer-worshipping, Eighties-worthy thrash metal. "Two (Poverty)," on the other hand, actually more-or-less plays like a full-on grindcore album. Sure, the band still wear plenty of thrash influences on their sleeves, but the grind elements overpower them.

For starters, there is definitely a heavy crust punk influence coursing through these songs' veins. On that note, you might think that this album might mark a change in vocalists, but it does not. It is still the same guy as before, Nate Olp - but he did opt for a completely new vocal style this time around. What a difference a year makes - in just that short amount of time, he graduated from deathly-tinged grunts to much higher, cleaner, and sharper, hardcore/crust-derived screaming (not unlike Barney Greenway). Skinsman Chris Cruz is also worth noting because he no longer mimes of Dave Lombardo's and the classic thrash beat style. Instead, he opts for a more brutal approach, spending most of his time with rapid-fire, battering-ram-like blasting. As such, his playing style now evokes classic grindcore like Nasum. Finally, and also in the tradition of true, old-school grind, guitarist Scott Wilson cuts nd just sticks with hardcore-inflected speed metal riffing that is catchy, fast, and heavy, but not overly technical. In the end, distinct elements of of Slayer, Kreator, Exodus, Anthrax, and Motorhead can be traced in "Two (Poverty)." A few streaks of both Nineties-era thrash (ala Pantera, The Crown, Soulfly, etc.), and Lamb Of God-style groove are also present. Finally, Demiricous definitely owe pay homage to Hatebreed/Terror/Sick Of It All by mixing caustic, tough-guy mosh/hardcore, as well. However, for the most part, the new material is more comparable to the likes of, say, Stromtroopers of Death, "Animosity"-era Corrosion Of Conformity (the grindcore era, mind you), Brutal Truth, Nailbomb, latter-day Napalm Death, Goatwhore, Nasum, Gojira, Bolt Thrower, and Misery Index.

While listening to "Two," the one thing that comes to mind first and most-often is the previously-noted "high-octane." No metal band does more justice to that phrase. Several other positive descriptors arise, as well, like "vitriolic," "unbridled," "blistering," "inspired," "punishing," "blood-pumping," and "old-school-esque. "Never Enough Road" (a song title that seems ripped out of a long lost Motorhead playbook) peels out of the starting gate with tires squealing. Seriously, your head will feel like it's on a swivel after hearing all of the blistering thrash picking, rip-roaring wall-of-sound, Meshuggah-esque rhythmic power, occasional punk-flavored breakdowns, and lung-stretching, Lemmy Kilmister-meets-Tom Araya-meets-Max Cavalera screams on display here. "Expressions Of Immunity To God" keeps things rolling along, thanks to its equally-as-frenetic and face-ripping tempo, Sepultura-inspired riffs, and machine-gun fast double bass drum fills.Track three, "Knuckle Eye," features a few well-placed and well-played tempo changes and a deft, bouncy little drum solo. "Leprosaic Belief" and "Language Of Oblivion" have big, fat, chugging guitars.;but they are mostly propelled by Chris Cruz's forceful double-time drum salvos (including frequent grinding blasts.)

"Tusk And Claw" and "Appreciation For Misery" are propelled by buzzsaw riffage. Also, note that the former song has Peter Dolving-inspired barks, and the latter has a handful of exceptional guitar solos. Tracks eight ("Engineer,", with its mosh-pit-ready, shout-along vocals), nine ("Celebration Of Damage", with its deep, steamrolling groove), and eleven ("Stress Fetish", with its rhythmic guitar licks that will have heads everywhere bangin along in unison) are three particularly catchy numbers. Elsewhere, "Acid Lung" builds to a memorable climax highlighted by staccato vocal hooks and a surprisingly melodic and ripping solo from Wilson. And set closer, "Blackish Silver," marries and unorthodox, "wah-wah"-tinged guitar intro with nice, prominent, grumbling, distorted bass lines, densely churning and lumbering rhythms, and a little bit of ominous feedback at the end.

Demiricous' consistently precise playing and potent songwriting makes for high intensity levels throughout. Plus, to their credit, unlike a lot of grindcore on the market these days, this group never forsakes catchiness. No matter how fast they're going, they always throw plenty of strong hooks into the mix. Granted, they aren't exactly in the same ballpark as, say, Discordance Axis; but still -- this is a grindcore album, and a darn catchy one at that. Couple these things together, and as a result, heavy music fans would be hard pressed to view "Two (Poverty)" in a negative light. The words "high-octane" is still probably the most apt descriptor of the album, but it is also unquestionably deserves to be called the following phrase: "very satisfying."

Hard driving Slayer type thrash! I thought that about the first cd, and now there are TWO! If you love thrash in the vein of slayer, you'll absolutely love this band.

This is what an album should sound like. I havent heard this much energy and talent since discovering slayer, Hatebreed, and Lamb of God. This music is brutal like lamb of god and thrashy with slayesque guitars. I fell in love with this album after hearing the drumming its raw, fast, and brutal double bass. the best drumming since chris adler. I bought this album first and got their 1st one next. Their fist album is very good but not in the same league as this one. Vocally this album is a huge improvement. He sound raging without going cookie cutter.

Demiricous is a decent band. Their first CD was a Slayer fest of riffs and demonic growls. But these guys arent Black metal, or anything else. They are straight thrash and pull no punches.
There are a few changes on this disc. The Slayer comparisons can still be there but not nearly like the last CD where it sounded almost like a blatant rip! The vocals are less of a growl and more up front. There are a few (dare i say) melodic moments?? But thats harsh, i should say there are a few seconds of melody here and there. The songs are short and the sound is crisp.
They may never win awards for originality, but when headbanging no one really notices anyway.
These guys bring me back to the 80's when bands were 'Thrash' and were proud.. Like Exodus, Slayer, early Metal Church etc..Really good stuff here. Good music to pound a few beers to....
Unfortunately the band has had some bad luck, and they had their equipment stolen not long ago, but they didnt let it stop them> So if you liked the last CD and thought this would be more of the same?? Well, it is with a couple minor adjustments, but dont let that stop YOU from picking this up!

This is one of the best metal CDs I have come across in years. The band's first release - "One" - was stuck in my CD player for a long time, but this will be in for even longer. Vocals are slightly more developed and musicianship is a little tighter on this release. And yes, as some have pointed out, their sound is reminiscent of Slayer (circa Seasons In The Abyss)--but there is plenty of originality here too. Music for raising hell and drinking whiskey. Do yourself a favor and get it now.

I have to admit I was really scared when I read an interview with Demiricous where they said they were "expanding their sound, and spreading their wings farther than they had on one". Because I love One so much but I bought the cd on Itunes the first night it came out and after just a few listens i've already fallen in love with two also. I can't say it's better or worse than one but i'm definitely playing the hell out of it. The main differences are the vocals are different but still not clean at all(thank god) and on some parts of the cd they kinda flirt with stoner and death metal a little bit but don't be worried because it still rages! If you consider yourself a true metal fan and songs like Engineer, Knuckle eye, and Leprosaic Belief don't get your head banging you need to get your pulse checked

I'll keep it simple. If you like this kind of music then don't hesitate to get this one.