Dew-Scented – Invocation

Dew-Scented have been cruising around the heavy metal underground for a damn long time. This German institution released their first demo in 1994 and have consistently produced kick ass metal that always gets the horns waving, but I can’t ever remember anyone actually stating that this band was worthy of greater attention. Damn shame, really. Dew-Scented are about as tight and technical a thrash band I’ve ever heard, and just as greasy, grimy, and caked with gopher guts as any underground metal band should be. But, to simply refer to these guys as another thrash metal unit would be next to criminal coz’ they’re not retro, they’re not doing something that sounds like anybody else, and they obviously aren’t doing it for a paycheck.

The very first thing that I notice when giving Invocation its initial it’s-time-to-get-to-know-you spin on the ole player was that the band have an incredible sense of mood. The opening instrumental intro of “Downfall” is perfectly composed to create a momentary glimmer of hope and then turns dark about 40 seconds into the track. Very rarely is so much said in so little. The guitar production is crystal clear, the notes shimmering with a lilting melody, and then the guys shift to these minor chords and the entire tone of the song becomes ominous . . . like being at sea on a relatively pleasant day, and then out of nowhere, the squalls start picking up as the sky darkens. Amazing composition and a tune that made me eager to hear what these guys were going to do next . . . where were they going to take the music?

With a seamless transition, Dew-Scented kick into “Arise From Decay” and the up tempo, full on thrash movement kicks into overdrive. Heavy alternate picked guitar lines accompanied by flurries of double bass drum and another ominous guitar melody clear the debris for the steamroller action of this tune to have an unobstructed path for devastation. The vocals, though not a style I typically gravitate towards, work extremely well in the context of the speeding frenzy of notes and ultra-violence. The band utilize a lot of open E, er . . . D, er . . . whatever note they’ve dropped their rigs to, creating passage after passage of chugging riffs and the slyly sliding half measures of sustain to break up the cacophony. By doing so, they create a truly intense listening experience. If I had to compare this song to the sound of any other band, I would have to lean towards Sound of White Noise-era Anthrax, but much more intense and produced to peel your skin from your face.

Dew-Scented incorporate more than an adequate amount of hardcore into their sound. To my ears, this gives their sound more of a knee jerk reaction of intensity, more organic if you will, yet they don’t compromise any of their musical chops in the process of creating this intensity. “Have No Mercy On Us” is an example of how they’ve melded the hardcore and thrash ethos together. One moment, emotions worn on the sleeve and the ultra-violence is swirling in complete chaos, then mere moments later, they shift to technical time changes and searing guitar leads that would make the six string gods blush. Then they hit us with “Artificial Life,” and pummel us stupid. Again, they mix that great thrash guitar work with the tempo and vocals that seem more at home in the back alleyways of a greater metropolitan area than in the polished confines of an arena or recording studio. The bridges used throughout this song are epic, full of raw emotion and power, fueled by rage and conveyed with the kind of conviction has changed the minds of the most stubborn minded. I absolutely love the outro portion of the song as the band drops into another chugging riff and we hear the drummer chiming away at the ride . . . man, that’s some good shit!

It’s rare to hear a band sound so tight in their execution, yet remain so infinitely raw in aggression. “Condemnation” is a sterling example as Dew-Scented litter the song with more starts and stops than a crash scene during rush hour. When they do get this song back up to speed, it’s a white knuckle ride as we grip any part of the vehicle for dear life. Or, if you don’t like that analogy, liken it to being on the Space Shuttle during reentry . . . and the pilot is suffering from cardiac arrest. Still, I find it amazing how they work such tight and dynamic shifts smack dab in the middle of some the bitchin’est riffs since that really bitchin’ album with all of those bitchin’ riffs! It’s like listening to the early thrash gods back in the late 80’s as if it were all happening again! Don’t believe me . . . fast forward to “A Critical Mass.” In-fucking-sane!

Invocation is a virtual clinic on riff work. Throw in some guitar virtuosity, not just in the solo work but also in the rhythm work, and mix that with the vocal intensity and Dew-Scented have hand delivered one of the most vicious records of the year. If you like your metal with a lot of movement, then this is the album that is screaming for your attention. Once it has your attention, it will be undivided as you’ll find yourself getting sucked into every time change and dynamic tempo shift, and by the time the record is done spinning . . . well, you won’t be. You’ll have lathered up a nice and even layer of sweat . . . you’ll have to peel the clothes from your body . . . that’s when you’ll find a few abrasions from unconsciously thrashing out to the grooves of Invocation. No . . . really. It’s that good!  -  Pope JTE

buy here: Invocation

www.dew-scented.de

www.myspace.com/dewscented

http://prostheticrecords.com/