After a couple demos and one split, death/thrash newcomers-ish OXYGEN DESTROYER out of Seattle are here, bringing their debut full length effort "Bestial Manifestations of Malevolence and Death." That's a great title, any points they lose for lack of originality they win right back with the sheer drama of it all. But I wouldn't expect anything less from the genre, and they certainly don't disappoint in that regard. The song titles are nothing short of epic, with my favorite no doubt being "Summoning The Moth of Divinity." Good shit boys.

Aside from the super-extra lyrics, it's standard for a death/thrash album, toeing the line between both genres with quick rhythms and blistering drums backed by classic black metal vocals, with the occasional death groove being found. It's nothing we haven't heard before, classic in every sense. If you're looking for something new that's gonna get you hyped for fresh deathtechnothrash 2K18 (or whatever Ronnie Radke is doing), look somewhere else. If you're already a fan of the genre and the old school vibes/production it brings, it's a solid release with a lot to love and enjoy. Also being from Seattle, I'm always stoked to see local bands do their thing.

I'm a little more meh when death/black metal bands move in a thrashy direction, so I definitely was favored toward songs where they found a little more groove and chunk, particularly in the back halves of "Cleansing The Earth Of Humanity's Existence" and "Onslaught of the Precambrian Hordes." "Vanquished by the Unrelenting Devastation of the Celestial Behemoth" had some of my favorite and more intricate guitar work, and I really enjoyed the slowed down drums carrying a more doom type feel and pace. They also locked into an excellent death groove that was one of my favorite moments of the album. "Atomic Breath" was a fitting and epic closer, incorporating a little bit of everything the album has to offer. Also some of my favorite drum work, if that means anything (it probably doesn't).

Is it mind blowing? No. Is it a fun time, assuming you like the genre? Yeah man. I would definitely give it a listen, the technical proficiency of the musicians and the incredible lyrics are worth it alone. Whatever it loses in originality it makes up for in sheer enjoyability, the irreverent spirit of black metal is a beautiful thing. Great debut from OXYGEN DESTROYER. Seattle bands = FUCK YEAH.