Thrash metal band formed in 1986 in Corpus Christi, TX, USA. Their first show
was opening for Anthrax in Texas that
same year. Despite growing popularity, the
band came into hard times due to
lackluster label support in the 90's and broke up after the tour for their third
album "Idolatry."
Devastation - Violent Termination (Defiled) 1987
1. "Intro: Beginning Of The End" (1:04)
2. "Massive Devastation" (3:59)
3. "Innocent Submission" (4:16)
4. "Syndrome Of Terror" (3:28)
5. "Violent Termination" (03:48)
6. "Death Is Calling" (4:07)
7. "Meet Your Maker" (6:08)
8. "Insanity" (4:29)
9. "Deceptive Slaughter" (4:24)
10. "Beneath The Surface" (3:29)
BONUS TRACKS
11. "Desolation" [live] (3:50)
12. "Souls Of Sacrifice" [live] (4:27)
13. "Idolatry" [live] (5:06)
14. "Subconscious" [live] (4:49)
Sweeeeeet! Been looking for this final piece in my Devastation catalgoue forever. Well as luck would have it, Rodney Dunsmore, the band's vocalist, stumbled across my site and just happened to have an extra copy of thie 1996 Defiled Record reissue. Awesome!
"Violent Termination" is old school thrash with an almost Venom-like musical quality. Unlike the band's follow-up releases, however, this one isn't quite a manic. That is not to say it's not good or that it's not heavy, because it is. There is just a different feel to this one than either of the band's follow-up albums. Whereas those two albums border an a death metal sound, this one is delivered with a punk aggression and is certainly influenced by bands like Venom, early Slayer and even a bit of classic metal like Anvil and Priest. Personally I really dig the true metal roots peaking through on this CD.
Devastation - Signs of Life (Combat/Century Media) 1989
1. "Eye For An Eye" (3:33)
2. "Desolation" (3:32)
3. "Manic Depressive" (2:44)
4. "Signs Of Life" (4:12)
5. "Retribution" (4:01)
6. "Tomorrow We Die" (5:00)
7. "Contaminated" (2:29)
8. "Fear Of The Unknown" (6:01)
9. "Escape To Violence" (2:33)
Heavy as a 100 ton wrecking ball coming full force through a brick wall "Signs of Life" is full throttle, testosterone ingested, adrenaline rushing, heavy metal that straddles as fine line between death metal and thrash metal. Devastation don't let up on the speed or intensity for one second. The production is raw and heavy and only adds to the the overall appeal. As with "Idolatry", this album was out of print for a long time and highly sought after by collectors. Fortunately in 1998 Century Media rereleased almost the entire Combat catalogue. The re-release contains an expanded, full color booklet with photos, lyrics, a short bio, and a small letter from bassist Edward Vasquez.
Devastation - Idolatry (Combat/Century Media) 1991
1. "Deliver The Suffering"
(6:26)
2. "Freewill" (5:07)
3. "Forsaken Hatred" (5:52)
4. "Souls Of Sacrifice" (5:07)
5. "Idolatry" (6:19)
6. "Legacy Of Faith" (5:18)
7. "Subconscious" (5:07)
8. "Never Believe" (4:56)
BONUS TRACKS
9. "Desolation / Souls of Sacrifice" [live] (8:07)
10. "Meet Your Maker" [live] (5:06)
11. "Idolatry" [live] (5:01)
12. "Subconscious" [live] (5:06)
Idolatry is one of the heaviest thrash metal album ever written, ranking up with the toughest of thrash monsters; Possessed, Dark Angel, Death, etc. As with those bands, Devastation were one the borderline of death metal, but never actually crossing over into blast beats or growling vocals. The guitars on this CD are vicious, being produced by legendary metal factory Morrisound Studios. Unlike the bands that Devastation were compared to, these guys lyrics were very anti-Satan. I am not even suggesting that they were a Christian band, but only that they seem to take an opposite stance that bands like Slayer and Dark Angel were taking in the late 80's. Check out the lyrics from "Souls of Sacrifice" below. In 1998 Century Media reissued and remastered this CD with additional liner notes and several live bonus tracks.
Souls of Sacrifice
Souls of black
Lives of hatred and scorn
Fires of darkness
Dwelling deep in the mind
Blasphemous lies
Like blood on a double-edge sword
Denying the cross
Mocking the one they call LordEvil Lies Everywhere
Come with me meet hate and despair
Will I live or will I die
Weak must perish for the strong will surviveSeeking death
Torment through suicide
At one with Satan
The evil one lives inside
Sacrilege
so foolish is your way
In fire and brimstone
Now your eternally rot awayYou worship Satan
Prepare to die
Eternally black
Souls of SacrificeYou worship Satan
Prepare to die
Eternally black souls of sacrifice
Walk through the gate into flames of hell
and you see that God prevailsSouls of black
Lives of hatred and scorn
Fires of darkness
Dwelling deep in the mind
Blasphemous lies
Like blood on a double-edge sword
Denying the cross
Mocking the one they call LordEvil Lies Everywhere
Come with me meet hate and despair
Will I live or will I die
Weak must perish for the strong will survive