Saturday, October 31, 2015

DEW OF NOTHING - Outsider (2015)


Dark Green Dew's Rebirth


So, here we go with the newest, second album of Dew of Nothing, recorded after such a long break. Comparing to the old line-up, two players Rene and Martin are still on the stage, supported by Anzvz on vocals. This cd has been released by unfailing American Line in modest digipak form, again with interesting front-cover submerged in dark green, however not fairy-like as compared to the debut. The first impression is just ok, so let’s look deep inside the content of “Outsider”…

…and just forget about the times of the “Doubleueird” album. I know, both albums are divided by the expanse of years, yet I won’t be wrong claiming the new album is just… mature. But let me start from production matter, it is modern straight through, yet without any signs of horrible artificiality. My only slight complaint refers to bass lines, I’d like to hear them more clearly, remembering several crushing moments from the first strike. As for the music itself, Dew of Nothing is a different band now, and although they travel through melodic death metal dimension, their music got simplicity. The main musicians intention is to give direct, straight forward tunes, based on rampant and inexorable work of Martin’s artillery. But I’m far from claiming that “Outsider” is an endless, unreasoning portion of musical butchery. Mexicans act in full consciousness sticking climatic slowdowns among the storm of riffs. And these calmer fragments are perfect counterpoise to the killing shots, they aren’t any nonsensical invention or sham fillers, yet they are another thing to name the whole melodic. Yes, another, because the main component are rhythm guitar and semi-lead parts. Again comparing to the debut, Rene and Martin decided to drift toward Swedish territorial waters. Not being drowned in flames, but definitely more in Dark Tranquillity, Sacramentum or Cardinal Sin kind of melody. And those moments sound really, really good in every track. What is more, “Touched by Evilness” has some line that can be easily referred to the second album of Dissection. And if some names have been given, the entire atmosphere of “Outsider” is similar in very bizarre and hard to explain way to Vinterland’s “Welcome My Last Chapter”. You know, different times, different genres, but feelings and emotions pretty much the same… It’s really amazing as the band isn’t old-school kind of fashionable revival.

For sure two songs steps aside a bit, yet they don’t disturb the general impression luckily. In second song “Leave Him to the Rats” Mexicans serve a handful of broken rhythms and varied riffs, in turn the ending piece “Doomed by Omen Circus” is the slowest one in the family with surprising one-minute lasting… drum solo executed by Martin. I have been following for his talent and passion since the late nineties and believe me, another album with his participation and another thing to praise. And not only drums are Martin’s duty, he takes care about keyboards and excellent memorable guitar leads.   
   
After many meetings with the album, there is very hard to choose the leader. “Outsider” is just very equal and ‘each sound knows its place’ offer. As for the vocal parts, Anzvz is a good choice for the band, he is rather mid-range between growling and black shrieks and he did it really eventfully, being just a suitable for the rest.

A term ‘melodic death metal’ may raise doubts, it’s easy for the band to become banal and childish with their catchy face. Dew of Nothing is the next representative of the genre coming out from Mexico, and even there, the scene is quite overcrowded with such crews. Fortunately, “Outsider” is definitely of a better kind, not only from the Mexican land. It means: strong with ancient Swedish spirit melodic side mixed with uncompromising sonic violence made the modern way. And this mix really works here.    

90/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(written in October, 2015)

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