Power of Metal.dk Review

Degradead
The Monster Within
Rating
Style: Up for debate
Release date: 13 September, 2013
Playing time: 40 minutes
 

I have heard Swedish metalheads Degraded labelled as thrash metal, melodic death metal and - from their website - death metal. I do not presume to know if this is due to their previous works which I admittedly have not heard. All I can tell you is this album, The Monster Within, is not really any of those. None of those definitions incorporate the very clear metalcore element that they have taken on with their latest offering due for release this month. I'm not saying that's bad - I will leave that to the elitists that spend much more time commenting on things they hate than that which they like.

I have to review it as more of a metalcore album because there are so many characteristics of that genre that significantly overpower the other aspects of the music.

They've worked hard. That's clear. The vocal performances steer much more towards metalcore, for me. There are also several chorus breakdowns to cleaner vocals throughout the album which are more of a metalcore feature than a characteristic of death or melodic death metal. Transition between clean and growl vocals with intricate harmonies are fine, though fairly predictable throughout. I do think there are a few breakdowns too many and you can tell they're coming from a mile away. Much the same as you could with a lot of 80s metal bands who were always putting the guitar solo after the second chorus. Indeed, there's little surprising or original in terms of song structure. It follows the same formula for most of the album but the thrash riffs are particularly enjoyable. They pop up here and there and do a good job of breaking things up when they need to be in a way that, to me anyway, is not predictable like the breakdowns are. It stops things getting too repetitive. The ballad 'We'll Meet Again' also changes things up right in the middle of the album and could not be placed better. The producers did particularly well on those counts. I also enjoyed one surprise; a little flamenco-ish random break that comes out of nowhere in a song I will not name so that those who may be reading and decide to give this album a listen will not have anything spoiled. This album will definitely be very appealing to the more mainstream metal fans. I think most metal fans bar the aforementioned elitists will find something to enjoy.

In summary, as a predominantly metalcore album, which is the only honest way I can review this, it is a solid, above average effort and certainly more than on par with more prominent bands of that genre. I think this will take them further and faster within the metalcore realm than they could possibly hope to progress within the death/melodic death metal field if this is the formula they are decide to continue with. Whether or not this is the direction Degradead wish to go is another matter. This is a good metal album, but I cannot say it is a death (or melodic death) metal album.


Tracklist
01. One Against All
02.
The Monster Within
03.
For Better Or Worse
04.
Dead Becomes Alive
05.
We'll Meet Again
06.
The Dark Mind
07.
Strive To Struggle
08.
Scars Of Misery
09.
Tendency To Sin
10.
Sorrow Never Betrays
Label: Metalville
Distribution: Rough Trade
Reviewed by: Matt Fabi
Date: 8 September, 2013
Website: www.degradead.com