Destrophy is from Iowa City, the buzzing metropolis that yields
\n a lot of bands. Since time began in this area, bands have been inspired to
\n get-together to create music. That is par for the course. The way things have
\n gone is that a band builds a following, releases a CD, two at the most, then
\n disbands. The early ’90s were notorious for bands like that as local heavyweights
\n Critical Gopher, No Pain, and Sludgeplow built a strong following, only to
\n fizzle by either relocating to another state (No Pain, Sludgeplow) or to completely
\n disband due to not being able to find the right drummer (Critical Gopher).<\/p>\n
That trend has not applied to Destrophy. Formed in 1993, the
\n band has been churning out metal riffs continuously over the last 11 years,
\n playing showcases, local, and regional gigs. In other words, they’ve been
\n paying their dues. The band’s recent release Chrysalis<\/i> is yet another
\n strong step in the right direction, expanding their music from just being
\n about heavy metal riffs to a mature format that includes synthesizer keyboards.
\n The material on this release is strong. and, in a single word, musical. <\/p>\n
Well-produced with full-sounding drums (think the opposite of
\n Ulrich’s sound on St. Anger<\/i> and you’re in the sound park), interesting
\n riffs, clear vocals that offer insight into the band’s world. At the same
\n time, the songs show a deeper sense of maturity, such as the material’s softer
\n moments, such as the keyboard transition in “Why I Hate Goodbye,”
\n the track for which the band recently filmed a video.<\/p>\n
Lead-off track “Let it Go” previously appeared on
\n the band’s ‘web demo’ release which sounds fuller on this release. The driving
\n bass drum stomp propels this mid-tempo stomp that serves as a perfect introduction
\n to the band’s sound. This track symbolizes all that is good with Destrophy.
\n The lyrics are interesting and provide a glimpse into the soul of vocalist\/guitarist
\n Ari when he sings, “All I want is everything \/ and everyone listens when
\n I say \/ All I want is everyone \/ to understand everything I’ve done.”
\n Later, he sings, “Wake up \/ I’ll never be like you \/ Slither and suffer
\n in me always.”<\/p>\n
“Waiting Game” is the type of song that will propel
\n this band to legendary status. The vicious distortion-thick riff and the propelling
\n drumbeat from Heath makes this a stand-out track. Combined with the guitar
\n riff and drums, Ari’s vocal delivery toggles between a clear, soothing to
\n aggressive for the benefit of the material. “Confession” showcases
\n the band’s sense of “song” as the track begins with an airy keyboard
\n part and calm vocals. Then the song switches to an aggressive style as Ari
\n sings, “Save all your anger inside as it boils through your skin \/ Push
\n me a little harder and believe I’ll give in.”<\/p>\n
The band includes a cover of the Real Life song “Send Me
\n an Angel” churning out a version that is decidedly more aggressive than
\n the 80s pop hit. Also included is an extended version of opening track “Let
\n it Go” which sounds very close to the original on a surface level. Deeper
\n analysis shows Destrophy has played with the song to give it a second life.<\/p>\n