Dissolution - Natural Selection (2014)

Artist: Dissolution

Album: Natural Selection

Release Date: April 1, 2014

Genre: Death Metal, Technical Death Metal

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Track List:

1. Ride to Devastation 5:41

2. The Pact 3:47

3. Abnormal Appetite 4:46

4. Falling in Shreds 3:30

5. Years of Redemption 4:05

6. A Rust Coloured Dawn 5:41

7. A Raven's Stare 4:22

8. Natural Selection 3:52

Preview and Purchase this and previous albums from iTunes

Canada has been a hot bed of solid tech death bands lately, and these guys do not fail at delivering some great tech riffs and leads on top of the beastly drums and bass laying down such a solid foundation. The best part about Dissolution is the subtle technicality they present, it's not so over bearing where you may need breaks in between songs to rest your mind, but just enough to leave you wanting more.

This album opens up with “Ride to Devastation” which is a great track to start with, displaying the bands full range of abilities and what they can offer. It has a heavy opening riff and immediately gets you to start head banging. They keep it banging until about halfway through they drop the harmonized melody on you that's reminiscent of Iron Maiden it makes you wish they’d solo right after…and of course they do, proving that with all the riffage, they have the leads as well.

Next comes in “The Pact.” It starts off hard and doesn’t let up. A little less than a minute in the double bass kicks in taking this track to a new level of intensity (which is my favorite part of the album). They were set to devastate with this track…mission accomplished. I couldn’t imagine on how hard the pits would be during this track.

“Abnormal Appetite” is the second single they released and the one that got me pumped for the album. The pinch harmonics used throughout these riffs are so intriguing. If you’re a melody seeker, this track will satisfy your auditory needs with the solo that just soars, changing the pace of this track in a subtle welcoming way that you don’t quite expect. Top that with lyrics about cannibalism, and I was hooked.

“Falling in Shreds” is full of lead work. It kicks off thrashy, but busts into an almost funky beat. They don’t let the vibe of punishment die though, as the next few riffs keep the pace up as the solos adds some spice.

Next is the first single they release, and the first track I heard, “Years of Redemption.” While I dug the track initially, it didn’t do much for me when I heard it except make me curious what else they had to offer. I do like the odd style of verse riffing on this one but may go down as my least favorite on the album (but in no way is it a bad track).

“A Rust Coloured Dawn” starts with a nice black metal tremolo riff and goes into an atmospheric feel that the whole band seems to shine in. Lasts long enough to let you groove to it, before they kick it into thrash mode and along comes more ripping solos. The atmospheric feel comes back in an almost Death fashion and kicks into some groove that should come with a warning label of sore neck afterwards. It also has some very unexpected additional elements that I’ll keep to myself, it’s worth listening for. Hands down my favorite track of the album.

Track 7 is “A Raven’s Stare” and is another great example of the amazing feet work this drummer has and also the musicianship these guys possess, each instrument complimenting the other as they create an awesome wall of sound for the vocals.

The closer is the title track, “Natural Selection.” It has a fantastic verse riff that compliments the vocals. This track contains probably my favorite solos on the album, and the post-solo riff they transition into is so fluid.

I’m incredibly impressed with this band. Every instrument is masterfully played, and to top it off, the guitarists do the vocals. This album is a solid 9/10 and any death metal head should love this intense style, specifically any fans of Beyond Creation or Obscura. 

Bandcamp (new album not up there yet)

- Doom -