Customer Reviews

Year of Desolation

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

 

 

After the loss of Himsa, Prosthetic wasn't left with many good bands other than All That Remains and Beneath The Massacre. Year of Desolation is the best new addition to the roster! These guys deliver some good ol' neo-American Thrash, tilting toward the Melodic Death side of the scale (as opposed to bands like Trivium), yet don't totally dodge the Metalcore encapsulation. Obviously not as good as their 80s-90s influences, but who can top that without being from that coke-fueled era? These guys have some pretty driving riffs, harmonies, leads, and good range of vocals (which is becoming scarce). I could stand to hear some more solos. And the drumming is a little funny at times. Like mid-tempo rolling double bass, when it should be the classic thrash-punk fast beats (best demonstrated by Dave Lombardo and Vinnie Paul). Contrary to them proclaiming to have no breakdowns in their music, they in fact have breakdowns in every song (hardcore-esque too). However, they are more creative note-changing breakdowns, rather than straight-chug Throwdown breakdowns. The bonus track (Ethereal Syphon) would have been a great mid-way interlude. Sure, it reminds me of early Metallica, but back in the day, they wrote great pretty slow songs. The bonus track is just some sweet acoustic guitar, overdubbed with some beautiful harmonies. Its fitting and really well done. This is one of the few recordings I have heard from Jamie King that doesn't sound terrible (Between The Buried And Me's Alaska, Glass Casket's A Desperate Man's Diary). The sound is still slightly raw, but you can actual hear tone from the guitar amp, the drums don't sound like someone banging on garbage cans.
The music never goes limp on you with those sugar coated choruses written specifically to woo the ladies and label execs. And I raise my pint-glass to that!
Overall, really really cool stuff and I hope to see them on the road soon. Highlight tracks are Suffer Thy Nemesis, The Economy of Excess, and All In Vain.
I think Year of Desolation can prove to be pretty promising with their growth if they keep up the great work.

Cd is amazing. Its fast, and heavy and should be in every Metal fans music library.

this record has it all-- I can't believe they're from indianapolis! I'm dying to see them live. this band is the perfect blend of all my fave influences; from maiden to lamb of god. rock on, YOD!!!

One of the best metal/thrash albums out there. Buy it, listen, love it. If you don't believe me, google this band and check out the reviews it has gotten elsewhere!