SUN DESCENDS
Incinerating The Meek
(Twilight Vertrieb)
35:27min

Mem von Stein (that EXUMER – fame) and his loyally thrashing troops have reached that one remarkable point on these New York – based thrashers SUN DESCENDS’ career in which a full-length debut album was just a matter of time from them, just waiting to be unleashed. Now that particular time is here, in our hands – and the SUN DESCENDS – camp has managed to record 10 songs for their debut full-length release; including also a remake of the classic EXUMER – track ‘Fallen Saint (Fallen Again)’. Much to my surprise, the band has chosen a more straight-forward, heavier, overall a tad more simplified and yet thrashier approach musically on “Incenerating The Meek” compared to their previous two mini CDs “Tide In The Affairs Of Men” (2001) and “Kanun-Law” (2004). What honestly surprised me most, was this more ‘SLAYEResque’ (“Hell Awaits” era mainly) approach the band has taken on the new songs; thanks pretty much for the similar guitar tone which the band’s guitarist Sam Awry (also sort of a musical anchor in SUN DESCENDS) has successfully managed to throw into the songs. He has obviously been listening to SLAYER’s infamous 2nd album quite a lot as there’s just so much of that particular release’s input of the guitars in these new SUN DESCENDS songs that it probably makes you also to think Sam as Kerry King’s long-lost cousin or something alike. Wanna get a proof? Simply fine-tune your ears for such songs as ‘Presence’ and ‘Broken Seals’ and you are about to start screamingly agreeing with me how well I hit the so-called familiar ‘bull’s eye’. Mem has also done a relatively splendid job vocal-wise even if I tend to admit his voice hasn’t ever been too varied as far as some certain singing techniques are concerned. But however, it’s guaranteed if you have just ever liked his teensy-weensy monotonous vocal delivery, you already know what to expect from him, don’t you? (I nevertheless think he improved quite a lot ever since SUN DESCENDS’ first mini CD – Frank). SUN DESCENDS’ ‘updated’ version from EXUMER’s marvelous Thrash – number ‘Fallen Saint’ has also got a bit more ‘SLAYEResque’ touch; being more straight-forward and more sort of ‘to-the-point’, but unfortunately not doing that much of justice to the original EXUMER track, however. 10 songs of old school 80s Thrash Metal is what SUN DESCENDS have on offer on “Incinerating The Meek”; no more or no less – and if that’s something you have always felt comfortable with, then by all means get this album for yourself. As said previously, these madly thrashing fellows don’t bring anything new to the scene, but they surely know how to thrash and sound pleasingly entertaining. Website: www.sundescends.com

Luxi Lahtinen

Luxi Lahtinen

Related reviews / interviews:
SUN DESCENDS - Tide & Law (Laurent Ramadier )
SUN DESCENDS - Kanun-Law (Timothy Dovgy)
SUN DESCENDS - Tide In The Affairs Of Men (Timothy Dovgy)

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