Live4MusiC

Sanity Obscure

Dethrone the King

2008

EP
Thrash metal 
 

Dethrone the King is Sanity Obscure's first EP. To be honest, what really drew me to this band is the presence of members from other bands that I have listened to before, such as Cider (ex-Draconis Infernum, Helvette), who is more known as a black metal vocalist and Faust (Suicide Solution). Surprisingly (or perhaps not), this resulted in what we now know as Sanity Obscure.
 

While this record may be labeled as thrash metal, instead of your typical thrash metal shouts (think Slayer) or whines (think Megadeth), this record brings thrash metal in another direction by fusing black metal shrieks/growls with thrash music. Unlike other thrash metal bands that focus mainly on speed, they balance out their take on thrash metal by having a balance of speed and techniques.
 

Mind you, when I say that it sounds like a fusion of black metal and thrash metal, I’m not simply talking about blackened thrash bands like Sabbat and the likes, but more of technical metal with black metal vocals. Think Atheist with a black metal vocalist.
 

However, while Cider’s vocals are unmistakable, on this record it resembles more of a growl than the usual shriek he uses for his black metal projects. Similarly, Ziyang’s drumming is more demanding here with lots of erratic signature timings. Similarly, guitars on this record are less shreddy, focusing more on techniques as well. What is lacking at times is the presence of the bass guitar, being overshadowed by the other instruments. However, this does not mean that the bass player isn’t good – there is an impressive bass solo on the first track, Dethrone the King that proves naysayers wrong.
 

Lyrical contents range from the typical politics/oppression (Dethrone the King “Devour oppression | Masticate power | In order to shatter | This Monarchy”) to issues like negative impacts of technological advancement (Nuclear Exploitation “Nuclear missiles detonated | Global chaos is what they pray for”)
 

Production quality of the EP is pretty polished, with most of the instruments being able to stand out in the mix.
 

Album artwork and layout were done by Mike Priest (Absence of the Sacred, Hell’s Labyrinth).
 

While this record may sound too erratic for fans of headbanging to headbang to, it does not mean that it is not an enjoyable record. On first listen, this record immediately reminded me of works of Atheist. Recommended to fans of technical metal.

Taken from http://heavymetaltribune.blogspot.com/
©2010 Heavy Metal Tribune | Hong Rui