Sweden’s Degial (formally Degial of Embos) have been around
since 2004 and released three demos under their old moniker before changing
their name and releasing another demo, followed four years later by an EP and
now, finally, their debut album, entitled “Death’s Striking Wings” has been
unleashed upon mankind…
Some of you reading this will probably think “eh, just
another Swedeath band” and move on, but Degial are so much more than that.
Sure, they pay tribute to the old masters (Dismember, Treblinka, Merciless,
Nihilist, etc. etc.) but their sound is more akin to early Possessed, early
Slayer and Morbid Angel’s legendary debut, with a touch of Dissection-esque
flair. You’ll find some ripping thrashy riffs alongside pummeling beats and
twisted solos, with the occasional melodic hook thrown in for good measure. The
raw and primitive production suits the well-thought-out yet demented song
writing style of the band, although the vocals do get buried occasionally,
which is unfortunate, but not too much of a distraction.
“Death’s Striking Wings” is definitely not the most original
record out at the moment, but with songs like; “Death's Striking Wings”, “Black
Grave (The Gateway)” and “Swarming”, it will definitely leave a shit-eating
grim on even the most jaded death metal fan. It’s not “Seven Churches”
or “Altars of Madness”, but it’s as good or better than anything the Morbid
Ones have released since, and that’s good enough for me.
Degial’s debut is a fine addition to my collection that fits
in well alongside my Tribulation, Repugnant, Angelcorpse and Cemetery Urn
albums.