Artist: Decaysia
Album: From Chaos to Creation
Release Date: December 21, 2012
Genre: Melodic Death Metal / Extreme Metal / Thrash
Rating: 5/5
**Note: Although this album was released in 2012, it still deserves recognition from Extreme Metal Fans all around until new material is released**
Just when you thought Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania had nothing else to offer you besides Dutch Country and the Liberty Bell; from the city of Allentown hails a hidden gem who call themselves Decaysia. Formed in November of 2009, Decaysia have surely made a name for themselves in the local metal scene with their ever so violent stage show and blistering musical abilities. Melodic, heavy, thrashy, and aggressive is what you will find within this 45+ minute CD. If you are a fan of Nevermore, Pantera, Vehemence, then I highly suggest you finish reading this review and then go buy the CD!
Attacking the microphone lies Paul ‘Gutrot’ Layton, whose vocals are just as aggressive as his stage presence. From barbed wire bats to machetes, Paul surely knows how to take control of the crowd and make them feel like they are part of the show. On bass is Chris Spencer who does exactly what his role requires by holding down that tight end (yes, pun intended). The monstrosity you hear and feel behind that drum set is brought to you by Tom Kapral. Now, onto my personal favorite part – the shredding guitars of Eric Voorhees and Steve Nichols. Steve brings more of a Dimebag Darrel vibe with his solos into Decaysia, using a lot more bends and wah pedal which is a nice break and allows you to feel his astonishing playing. On the other side of the stage (or speaker if you have yet to see Decaysia live, which I highly recommend!) is where you will hear Rusty Cooley, Chris Storey, and Jeff Loomis shredding away! Eric delivers shred at a new level, but it is not just mindless shredding as seen with most guitar players these days, Eric has feel and emotions within those 32nd note guitar solos!
From the first song on the album (track 1 being an intro), ‘Ravage’ simply gives you an idea of what you are in for: technicality, shredding, and brutality. Following that is my personal favorite, ‘Universal Lie’. I have listened to this song over and over again, and was able to break it down in explanation as a story: It starts off powerful and hopeful; as if you are entering an epic journey led by the guitar work of Steve Nichols. When the vocals come in, prepare yourself for battle! Eric Vorhees then delivers the slaying and dramatic guitar solo (which I must say, his note choices are impeccable). The song / journey then continues being very melodically driven by the whole bands performance. At the end of the journey, when all of your men are dead and you are left solace in the middle of uncharted territory, Paul’s vocals lead you into Steve’s emotionally driven guitar solo just as a reminder that you are alone. But wait! Right then, as Steve is finishing with his solo, you see one of your men raise his bloody arm from the battlefield as a sign of life, That is when Eric comes in with his yet again powerful and dramatic guitar solo as a sign of hope! Shredding away into oblivion, you then realize with your one last guy alive, there is hope. As you reach down to lift him up from the carcass filled battlefield, Eric’s arpeggios raise a sign of life and the journey is only beginning. With the epic music behind him, Paul then comes back in with his vocals to prove that it is not over.
‘From Chaos to Creation’ delivers. Bottom line. If you enjoy Extreme Metal, I highly recommend you pick yourself up a copy of this album. Decaysia are definitely an up and coming band you will want to follow and keep your eyes on in the near future. Follow the links below to keep updated with everything Decaysia; news, tours, etc.
Tagged as:
album review,
death metal,
extreme metal,
metal
