Tempers run high in the garage it seems
Thrash and black metal have gone hand in hand more or less since the beginning with Venom's "Black Metal" and Hellhammer's thrashy proto-black metal style. The Canadian band Durvasag follow up on this early trend with their first release, the 2011 demo "Pure Fucking Thrash!".
Playing in the sloppy style of early Venom the Hungarian-named band have some terrific riffs but are really held back by poor sound and dodgy drumming and vocal work. What I mean by "sloppy" is that timing and tightness doesn't seem to be their main focus or so to speak. The drums sound like they were programmed by someone who doesn't have a very good feel for drumming, which is odd considering that the demo lists an actual drummer in the credits. Adding to that the horrendously uninteresting artwork, it leaves the demo feeling lacklustre.
There's nothing wrong with the song structures, lyrics, riffs or choruses in their own rights, but the individual parts aren't very well executed or put together. Guitarist George Ondi is definitely one of the strongpoints on "Pure Fucking Thrash!", both as songwriter and player, but he can't hold his own against the sub-par performances delivered by the rest of the band.
Playing in the sloppy style of early Venom the Hungarian-named band have some terrific riffs but are really held back by poor sound and dodgy drumming and vocal work. What I mean by "sloppy" is that timing and tightness doesn't seem to be their main focus or so to speak. The drums sound like they were programmed by someone who doesn't have a very good feel for drumming, which is odd considering that the demo lists an actual drummer in the credits. Adding to that the horrendously uninteresting artwork, it leaves the demo feeling lacklustre.
There's nothing wrong with the song structures, lyrics, riffs or choruses in their own rights, but the individual parts aren't very well executed or put together. Guitarist George Ondi is definitely one of the strongpoints on "Pure Fucking Thrash!", both as songwriter and player, but he can't hold his own against the sub-par performances delivered by the rest of the band.
"If their music didn't reveal their inspirations and idols, these covers surely do. It comes as no surprise that bands like Venom, Darkthrone and Metallica are on that list."
A matter of personal preference, the demo features not one or two, but five cover songs, severely outweighing the band's original material in terms of playtime. If their music didn't reveal their inspirations and idols, these covers surely do. It comes as no surprise that bands like Venom, Darkthrone and Metallica are on that list. Poor delivery aside there is some potential in Durvasag's own material, so pulling away attention from their own music in that way seems strange. The track "Apocalypse" shows that they can keep focus during longer tracks, and the title track reveals the band's ability to create a build-up and payoff scenario.
All in all there are ups and downs, but ultimately this won't be turning heads simply because there are many bands that do it better. Durvasag sounds like a group of young guys' first attempt at an extreme band, just like all the classic acts started out. But whether they're talented, skilled and dedicated enough to take it to the next level is not clear from the three tracks on "Pure Fucking Thrash!".
All in all there are ups and downs, but ultimately this won't be turning heads simply because there are many bands that do it better. Durvasag sounds like a group of young guys' first attempt at an extreme band, just like all the classic acts started out. But whether they're talented, skilled and dedicated enough to take it to the next level is not clear from the three tracks on "Pure Fucking Thrash!".
5/10
Released in 2011 independently
Links
Durvasag on BANDCAMP
Durvasag on FACEBOOK
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What did you think about Durvasag's "Pure Fucking Thrash!"?
Durvasag on FACEBOOK
Follow TONEwood on Facebook for daily updates!
What did you think about Durvasag's "Pure Fucking Thrash!"?
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