Band: Devian
Title: God To The Illfated
Label: Century Media Records
Distribution: EMI
Release date: 12/12/2008
Review: CD

The history of this band begins when ex-Marduk-members Legion (v; also ex-Ophthalamia) and Emil Dragutinovic (d; The Legion, ex-Nominon) start a band called Rebelangels. Soon after, the moniker changes into Elizium, and finally, in 2006, it becomes the current one, Devian. About fourteen months ago, Devian shocked the world with their skull-crushing debut Ninewinged Serpent. That ‘blackened death thrasher’ put the name of this band on the international Death Metal-map. In mean time the line-up changed, and besides Emil and Legion, the band on this second recording consists of Joinus (g; Incinerator, ex-Sargatanas Reign, ex-Nominon, ex-Rise And Shine), Robban Karlsson (b; Scar Symmetry, Facebreaker, ex-Edge Of Sanity, Solar Dawn, Pan-Thy-Monium amongst others), and Tomas Nilsson (g; also in Suicidal Seduction). Once again, the band entered the Art Decay Studio with Richard Kottelin (Emil’s colleague in The Legion), while the mix has been taken care of by Peter Tägtgren (Abyss Studio), and the mastering by Peter In De Betou (at Tailor Maid Production).
God To The Illfated opens with Mask Of Virtue, which goes on in the vein of the former album. The symbiosis of Black (Marduk, Sargatanas Reign), (American) Death (Morbid Angel, Terrorizer) and Thrash Metal (One Man Army And The Undead Quartet, Demented) still exhales a furious old school spirit and that’s fine. However, the second track, Assailant, is much more melodic and even somewhat catchy. Besides the strong grunts, also a few melodic vocals are used, and the combination of those vocals, and the technical guitar riffs, inject a sad Metalcore-feeling. Several tracks are more catchy, groovy or melodic and personally I’m disappointed in this evolution. Yet many tracks are worth listening to, especially those in the vein of the former album. Highlights: the monstrous opening track; Summerdeath, a slow yet melodic track that reminds me, in a way, to early Dimmu Borgir or Gehenna; the ultra-heavy song I’m The Pariah; the mid-tempo stomper Saintbleeder, with its epic atmosphere; the fierce mardukian title track; the long (7:02 min) neo-Doom hymn When The Vultures Have Left, with a victorious character and an oppressing coldness / darkness; and last but certainly not least: the gargantuan, majestic epic Awaiting Doom.
Anyway, even though I do prefer Devian’s debut album, Ninewinged Serpent, I have to admit that God To The Illfated is a nice successor. I’m sure a ‘bigger audience’ will be reached now; still, why not?

xxx/100

Ivan Tibos.