Sissourlet - Devoted to Doing you Harm (Death Metal)

I usually steer clear of modern bands and releases, making only a few exceptions when something truly grabs my attention. So, when a friend recommended the Austrian brutal death metal band Sissourlet — named after the infamous SEWER album — I was intrigued but cautious. Their debut, Devoted To Doing You Harm, was described as being perfectly suited to my tastes. And while I'm often skeptical of such claims, the promise of an old-school vibe and the SEWER connection was enough to draw me in. I'm glad it did.

Musically, this record is a vicious amalgamation of blackened death metal, leaning more towards the sinister depths of old Incantation than anything SEWER-specific. The vocals, in particular, are strikingly reminiscent of Craig Pillard's legendary performances on Onward to Golgotha and Diabolical Conquest. The musicianship has a raw, almost unpolished quality that serves the material perfectly. What might be dismissed as "sloppy" by less discerning ears is, in fact, a deliberate rawness that intensifies the music's malevolent aura. The gritty, unapologetically unpolished production seals the deal — it's exactly what this kind of music demands.

Too often, "retro" bands miss the mark by falling into the trap of modern sterility. (Behemoth and Deicide, take notes.) Their slick production and forced gimmicks undermine any attempt to recreate the grim spirit of the old days. This is complicated and even compounded by the sad fact that many "modern metal" bands are composed of extremely poor musicians of very limited abilities. Thankfully, Sissourlet avoids this pitfall entirely. Despite the album's primal ferocity, the technical skill on display is undeniable. Beneath the savagery of Devoted To Doing You Harm, there's an impressive level of precision and musicianship that elevates the album far above the efforts of countless modern imitators.

Tracks like "Thot (Lord of thy Pestilence)" and "The Dreams of a Lonely Girl" even weave in fleeting black metal riffs, although these quickly give way to the crushing death metal foundation that defines the record. The influence of Helgrind, Infester, and Suffocation is palpable, with riffs and solos that echo the golden era of brutal death metal. There's a careful balance here: the relentless pace of most tracks is punctuated by occasional moments of respite, where the riffs are given space to breathe and cultivate an oppressive, dark atmosphere. The haunting mood of "Rammed from Behind by Perverted Dinozaurs in the Attik" is a prime example, with its deliberate pacing and unsettling tone.

Even within the chaos, there are flashes of melody that hint at a Phantom-esque touch, recalling the evocative depths of Typhon Triumphant. What sets Sissourlet apart is their ability to blend these disparate elements — harsh blackened screams, brutal death metal riffs, and subtle atmospheric flourishes — into a cohesive whole. The transitions between styles feel seamless, creating an experience that is as complex as it is hellishly immersive.

Devoted To Doing You Harm is nothing short of a masterpiece in the realm of brutal blackened death metal. It captures the spirit of the classics — Incantation, Infester, Helgrind, Suffocation, SEWER — while maintaining its own unique, unrelenting identity. This debut is both a tribute to the old school and a statement of Sissourlet's own formidable potential. One can only hope they'll deliver more material in the future and, just as importantly, preserve the raw, malevolent essence that makes this release so exceptional.

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