During the rise of the Second Wave of Death Metal, Germany showed bands that could be considered as giants along North American, UK and Swedish acts. Names as ATROCITY, OBSCENITY, and MORGOTH were praised during the 90's, but something happened and German Death Metal left its space vacant. But now, one act seems to dare to defy Death Metal gods and take its place by force: DISCREATION that comes storming with its sixth album, "Iron Times". The quintet brings to the fans an amazing and solid classic Death Metal that follows the same tendency of the bands of the Second Wave, but in an actual and aggressive form. The music of the band sounds massive, hooking and brutal, but always in a traditional form, with contrasts between slow and fast moments, a simple and efficient technical work, and with nasty and classic guttural voices (as one must know, it's the first band release with the vocalist Marc Grewe, former MORGOTH singer and the one who impressed on the band's classic releases his mark).

But don't wait for something moldy or 'outdated', because their music is full of life and aggressiveness, but always with a massive energy and a personal appeal. Yes, this album is here to break bones and necks at will! The band brought Alexander Krull (yes, the mastermind behind ATROCITY and known for his works at Mastersound Entertainment with acts as DORO, ANVIL, OBSCURA, SINISTER, LEAVES' EYES and many others) to create a combination between a powerful and modern sonority with the bleak appeal of the past (but note that the recording and production of the vocals were done by Marc Wüstenhagen). Mission accomplished! And what a lovely, darkened and great artwork for the cover was created by Björn Gooßes.

If you're a Death Metal fan, "Iron Times" (composed and inspired by the hard times during the COVID-19 pandemic and the war on Ukraine) brings a link between the past and the present, and boost things for the future. And for the first time on the band's music, one can check "Iron Times" (a bitter and fast song with massive guitar riffs creating a solid wall of sound, but it's plenty of many Death Metal hooks as well), "Steel Legions" (a massive and oppressive slow Death Metal hymn with some faster parts, an excellent choice for a live show, with screamed grunts filling all the spaces), "Bringer of Demise" (another slow track that bears an oppressive and bitter ambience, with a brutal and technically simple work of bass guitar and drums, and what lovely and disturbing keyboards adornments), "Blood Ritual" (a song that's using faster parts with those Hardcore inherited hooks, with some slow touches, and it's heavy and solid as a rock), "The Battle Rages On" (what lovely bass guitar arrangements can be heard in some moments, and this bleak melodic feeling in some moments is always welcome), "Maschinenkrieg" (wow, pay attention to these brutal blast beats of the drums, and what great technical appeal), "Mercenary" (yes, it's a version for the old BOLT THROWER's hymn) and the bonus track "I Am the Sword" (another cover, this time for the forefathers of noise, MOTÖRHEAD) are the right ones. But again: these are just for the first hearing, because this album is so addictive

Yes, "Iron Times" is really a remarkable release, that one of a kind that deserves praise and applause. So if you're into Death Metal, you must become a fan of DISCREATION for sure!