Even though I am not the biggest fan of the Italian Metal scene, last year I came across DESTRAGE, an incredibly talented band from Milan that kicked my hairy ass. Only a few listening sessions were needed for me to announce this five piece act "hottest newcomers" for 2009. A year later the band returns with a brand new album, and we all know that the sophomore full-length release of a band is the actual crash test. Let's see if they can handle it.

The second studio album for DESTRAGE is entitled "The King Is Fat 'N' Old" and is released through Ettore Rigotti's (who also handled the production, mixing and mastering) own Coroner Records. The thing is, do you think "Urban Being" was a weird and kind of insane album? Wait until you listen to this one! DESTRAGE have gone nuts this time! The changes between mid tempo groovy parts and fast & furious outbreaks are faster than the speed of light, the effects used in here are a lot more and the riffs are sure to give an epileptic shock! "The King Is Fat 'N' Old" is definitely better, fresher and fancier than its predecessor and it proves that the Italian metallers are the next big thing.

If you try to describe their music then you will surely have a really hard time since the band draws elements from various and totally different music scenes ranging from the European melodic Thrash/Death Metal scene, to the US Thrash/Hardcore one, while also incorporating elements from Nu Metal, the alternative scene, as well as fragments of Rock & Roll! Sounds kind of strange, huh? DESTRAGE's singer has also improved a lot both in his screams and melodic singing (he kind of reminded me of LINKIN PARK's singer in his high pitched clean vocals).

The album is also "dressed" with a great sound, which adds the exact heaviness this music needs and is clear enough for every single little detail to be "audible". Once again thumbs up for the Italian quintet! I hope people will have their eyes and ears open, since it will be really sad to see such talents disappear. Congratulations guys!