(Osmose) Total Time: 55:35
Some of you will definitely remember the striking impressions that the debut album "Songs of the Damned" of DIVINE:DECAY had created in the metal society, 2 years ago. For everyone who might lack information about this act, they were formed back in 1999 in Helsinki of Finland and unlike the vast majority of their fellow-villager, they perform Bay Area thrash metal. What is more, they do not aim to become a clone of this field, but manage to compose quite decent and respectable thrash metal songs. Quite strange, don't you think so? But this is the damned truth guys. Now, they are back with a brand new album bearing the title "Maximize the Misery", for once again totally influenced of this hellish Bay Area Scene, conjuring up bands such as TESTAMENT, FORBIDDEN, HEATHEN, DEATH ANGEL, EXODUS, old MACHINE HEAD... All those who loved "Songs of the Damned" are gonna love this stuff too.Virtually, both albums bear a close resemblance, therefore do not expect for any kind of experimentation, although this time I wished to listen something with a different touch. Focused mainly on speed and power, they follow the same way of composing and as regards the riffing it's still in this classic thrash vein, although it's heavier on "Maximize the Misery". But, there is a point, I 'd like to cast some judge on. This has to do with Alec' s voice, which happens to be quite melodic. On the one hand, this is an element which gives a different touch on DIVINE:DECAY, but on the other hand, he hasn't got the power and in general the qualifications to be a thrash metal singer at all! A big boon is that the production has been taken on by Janne Joutsenniemi (SUBURBAN TRIBE) and the mixing of the album was done by Mikko Karmila (NIGHTWISH, THERION, CHILDREN OF BODOM) who contributed to the creating of a crystal clear production and a remarkable sound! To summarize "Maximize the Misery" is a piece which deserves the attention of a thrash metal fan, and will probably gain the fans of so called thrash metal bands such as SOILWORK, WITCHERY, CHILDREN OF BODOM.
