Deviance is the stunningly good debut album from German death metal band Gentrification. This really is the complete package, from the well-presented, individually numbered digipak complete with a thank you note for purchasing the cd to the incredibly well-produced ultra-high-quality music that this band has crafted into this record.
You can hear the care and precision that has been used in creating this excellent piece of art, which is an absolutely marvelous experience for the listener from start to finish.
From the instant I put on this album, I got a sense that I was in for a real treat as each instrument and note defines itself and plays it’s part in being some of the highest quality and finest metal you will hear. The excellence isn’t only confined to the quality of sound and musicianship as the songwriting is truly first class, with all the elements being shown off, nothing boring or monotonous, nothing wasted or put in as filler no sameness or any chance of each song blending in. There’s a real skill in creating music that has complexity and intrigue and yet maintaining groove, catchiness, and at times downright good fun kickass metal. This album manages to do all that. Some of the riffs in these songs that just pop out of nowhere are so damn good but also just blend back into the rest of the song.
Make no mistake this is death metal, but there is nothing rough or raw about it, at times it’s brutal and very heavy but at no stage abrasive or careless bashing.
There are many standouts on this album with none that really outshines the others, further proof that this is the full package. My favorites were, Sudden Death Syndrome, Emancipate, Darkest Hour, and Venom In Our Veins.
It’s also nice to add that I had no negatives about Deviance at all, and a real delight to find a hidden track at the end, Blood Circle. Even more interesting by the fact that the vocalist Lena used her clean beautiful soulful vocals over a track that also was soulful and bluesy. Lena Winkel, the vocalist, delivers an absolutely brilliant performance giving us outstanding death growl vocals, full of power and thunder whilst changing tone and style throughout, clearly avoiding the trap f bringing dimensional. The two guitarists, Rick Zander and Robert Schenk take a now as you entertained me flawlessly throughout with an array of riffs and rhythms producing some of the best metal guitars you will hear. Michael Gückel handles the drums with precision and power and Maik Höing takes care of bass superbly like everything else by this band.
This is the kind of album you will find yourself pulling out of the rack over and over again as I can never see it becoming boring or tired, the high level of songwriting and musicianship won’t allow it. Deviance by Gentrification is a simply stunning recording, the finest of heavy metal and I loved every minute. 100% recommended.
Gentrification: N.A.
Release Year: 2014
Label: self-released
Category: Album
Country: Germany
Reviewed by Chris Rankin
