Lauded progressive death metal band DAATH has emerged from its 13-year hiatus with a new album, “The Deceivers,” at once a devastating reminder and giant leap forward that showcases the technical wizardry and brutal intensity that the Atlanta, Georgia-bred band is capable of. Levi believes this is the most focused and deadly version of DAATH to date and is excited about what’s in store. “The chemistry is great, because we can talk about stuff that would normally be uncomfortable for a lot of musicians to do without causing problems,” he says. He’s lived a lot of life since the band went away over a decade ago and admits that his mindset is very different now than it was during the original run. “We’re taking this to its full potential, letting nothing and nobody stand in our way,” Levi concludes. “If you’re not going all out, what’s the point?”

The album has nine songs, and “No Rest No End” is first. The song has a heavy backbone and there are also some symphonic elements in the mix. In the instrumental section, you can sure hear the band’s high level of musicianship. “Hex Unending” has a weighted sound from the vocals and bass guitar work and backing symphonics. The sound is well balanced but also just a bit on the safe side. “Ascension” has some very strong drum work in it, and Krimh keeps the meter with steady hands and feet. The song has some exploratory elements as well, and the production is very well done.

“The Silent Foray” has heavy and aggressive structures, but again, the riffs are played safely. They have a good deal of variation, but use the open note too much, and the cadence in the vocals is off putting for me. “Purified by Vengeance” has some harrowing elements, as well as the use of the Devil’s Fifth guitar riff. Beyond their tight musicianship however, it just doesn’t offer me anything new as a listener. “Deserving of the Grave” has some nice symphonic elements mixed in with the deeply brutal sound, but again, the vocals are sung in the exact same range again and with a similar cadence. “Into Dirt” closes the album. The oddest thing that I can say about this song is that even know it is turbocharged, it lacks inspiration.

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat—the band clearly has talent and musicianship, and the songs are tightly composed and excellently produced. What needs work however is the songwriting itself. There is just not enough variation from song to song, and they play it safe too much. 13 years is indeed a long hiatus, and a lot has happened since then. Back then, this might have been a shining example of prowess, but today, it seems to me to be just another mediocre release.