DETEST
“THE END OF ALL ENDS”
Album Review By Dark Juan
8/10
Now this makes for an interesting listen… Detest are a Swedish thrash/ power/ Viking metal band from the 80s and early 90s, before Viking metal was actually a thing. They did not meet with much success, their back catalogue being composed mainly of demos and one EP in 1990. (Thundersteel – is there more metal a name for anything? Apart from the famous American serviceman, Sgt. Max Fightmaster…) This leads us on to this very curious retrospective collection of tracks that were unfinished when Detest parted ways in 1991. Every song is very much of its time but they are well executed slabs of solid metal. A downside is that the tempos of each song are too similar. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good chug-a-long, but sometimes I want to see and hear people flailing desperately at their instruments while the drummer earns withering looks from the rest of the band for doing it three times faster than rehearsal (anyone in a band will know what I mean!)
There is actually a lot to enjoy here – the lyrics deal with Scandinavian themes, Viking power and battle prowess, and swords being held high to the sky. And how great metal is. This is good. The guitars are crisp and well produced, and crucially have a sound that is in keeping with the music. They are sharp, metallic and pointy and for a thrash/ power band this is important. The bass is especially good, very audible (a rare thing in these bass-averse days) and provides a very satisfying rumble to underpin the sound of the band. The drums are also well produced, if a little anodyne. I can hear every kick and cymbal hit but the drum sound is clinical, rather than organic. A rawer sound would suit the aesthetic of the music better. But that’s just my opinion. The vocals are good, clean and fitting more with a power metal feel, but they make for a refreshing change, what with metal’s current obsession with screeching! It’s also nice to have some well executed guitar solos in there. They are well produced, never too far up in the mix so they don’t overpower the rest of the band and this is excellent news.
The downsides of this otherwise mighty recording are the tempos are too samey. However, the songs are from unfinished demos and therefore they can be forgiven for this minor niggle. Obviously there was some quality control at work on other releases. Also, the song entitled Rebellion is utterly execrable. It’s a go to list of every heavy metal cliché there has ever been or will be. Which is a shame because the music is very good. The lyrics to this song in particular could have been written by a ten year old with a dictionary and Holy Diver by Dio. Indeed, I have formulated a drinking game where a shot has to be consumed every time you hear the words metal, sword, fight and conquer during this album. You’ll be pissed in 15 minutes flat. All in all though, this has been a mightily enjoyable nostalgic trip back to the roots of my love of metal. Traditional in form and lyric, well executed, not without charm and repeatedly listenable. Pleasingly, this is not a record for completists. It’s a good stand alone record in it’s own right. Don’t go near anything flammable while listening. I am not responsible for your actions. Valhalla is not at the end of your lane.
Meritorious tracks for me are:
Divide and Conquer – THE stand out song on the record. Speedy, powerful and sharp. Like a war chariot pulled by two night-black chargers, painted in the shiniest reds and golds, carving a swathe through the battlefield, the Viking warrior on it cleaving heads left and right. I want to fight every time I hear it. Instead, I have a beer. And raise my horn to the heroes in Valhalla!.
Aim Higher – Crunchy thrash magnificence. Reminiscent of Testament. Or should I say Testament are reminiscent of this mid tempo stomp-a-thon. It’s a lighters in the air moment apart from the half-dozen over excited teenagers at the front bouncing off each other. It would make a good workout track with the uplifting message it delivers. Aim higher, you warriors!
Thoughts Of Love – there’s a line in there which sums up every single heavy metal fan’s experience of the music, regardless of genre. Or how long you have listened to it. Allow me to share it with you. “Heavy fucking metal has entered your mind, you won’t be the same again.”
Tru dat.
The Patented Dark Juan Blood Splat Rating System awards End of All Ends by Detest 8/10. That’s enough blood for the FBI to wonder if there are a ravening pack of time displaced Vikings rampaging around the United States. And more importantly, why. And how.
There’s no band website because they have been defunct since the 90s. Shame really. I quite like them. Reunion tour, gentlemen?
Detest are:
Micke Darth [Vocals, guitars and bass]
Janne Strom [Lead guitars]
Henrik Johansson [Drums]
With additional contributions from Andreas Lagerin [Lead guitars]
TRACKLIST
The Solemn Avenger
Final Hour
Away
Thoughts Of Love
The Saviour
Aim Higher
Rebellion
Renegade
Divide And Conquer
Light In The Sky
The Creatures
The End Of All Ends
This review is the property of Dark Juan and Metal Gods TV. It is strictly prohibited to copy any part of this review, unless you have both of the parties’ permission, or are the band/record label/PR company in question. Failure to adhere to these instructions will be considered as Plagiarism and you will be reported to the appropriate authorities.