Metal Underground.com

Canada’s entry in the technical, bass-heavy death metal realm, Derelict has hit on a pretty explosive formula with latest album “Perpetuation.” Words like “blistering” and “unstoppable” get banded about in press releases for albums all the time, but for Derelict they actually apply, as these twelve tracks are relentless in their dedication to being aggressively heavy at breakneck speeds.

Strap yourself in and keep all hands and other objects inside the car at all times, because the high-speed death metal ride kicks off immediately with the opening title track and doesn’t ever let up. The technical guitar work consistently stays in the “fast to ultra-fast” mode for a dizzying effect, and the rapid fire drumming even throws in a bit of a blackened feel amid all the death metal.

Unlike the standard extreme act, however, the bass plays a fairly large role in most of the songs, taking “Perpetuation” firmly into tech-death territory. In one of the few stylistic departures the album features, the track “Olympic” also draws in some melodic, almost power-metal style aspects to vary it a bit, taking a more up-beat (relatively speaking) and up-temp approach than the other songs. On the vocal front, front man Eric Burnet lets loose a growl that wouldn’t be out of place on a melodic death metal record, but with more of a hardcore yelling attitude that occasionally has some higher pitched and scratchy variations.

With the exception of a few intros and interludes, and the previously mentioned “Olympic,” the drum and guitar tones remain pretty consistent throughout, so unfortunately even with the minor changes in the vocals much of the album ends up sounding intensely similar. The non-stop aggression and consistent speed doesn’t allow for much contrast in any of the songs, which may be welcome for some listeners or less so for others. Without any slower segments or areas without a steady stream of vocals, it becomes a bit harder to appreciate the unrelenting assault of heavy and fast sounds.

Although lacking much in the way of variation, “Perpetuation” is still an impressive release tailor made for those who love their death metal to be fast, brutal, and a bit on the complicated side. The blending of vocal styles and guitar insanity tempered by a hint of the melodic makes this one to check out for fans of anything from Arch Enemy to The Faceless.