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(7/10) Swedish alternative metal outfit Corroded is back with a new longplayer which is the first one after a period of 5 years. Half a decade without a new album seems to be very long in fast-moving times, carrying the risk of being left behind – and things can change over time.
“Defcon Zero” is the fourth album of this quartet from Sweden and it includes a line-up change. Guitarist Peter Sjödin left the band in 2015 and was replaced by Tomas Andersson. I can’t really tell you to what extend this impacted the new album but what I can say is that the expression of “Defcon One” is slightly more ‘light-hearted’ than the earlier releases. We are still not talking about happy metal and the sirens in the beginning of “Gun and a Bullet” speaks a clear language, but there is some more hope weaved into the some of the tracks.
The width of Corroder’s sound is quite wide. There are mighty alternative riffs that bolsters songs like the mentioned “Gun and a Bullet”. “Fall of a Nation” is another number that comes with a similar pattern and also “Burn it to the Ground” is a strong riff based metal track that convinces with hardness and a rough appeal.
To not become too one dimensional Corroded added some more silent songs in the middle section of the album. “Day of Judgement” is rooted in alternative rock. It’s in general more quiet than most of the other songs even though it still rock very well. “A Note to Myself” takes things even further with being a silent and reflective tune that can be described as a typical alternative rock ballad. It’s a nice track but Corroded sounds better when hitting hard; a thought that becomes even stronger while listening to a more standard ballad.
I can’t say that “Defcon One” is a bad album. Most of the songs on this longplayer are entertaining, well-done and supported by a solid production. The only point of critic is that Corroded’s new record misses this ‘wow’ –factor and moments of unexpected surprise. “Defcon One” is very much down-to-earth, with all the good and bad that comes with it.
(7/10)
Tracklist:
- Carry Me My Bones
- Gun and a Bullet
- Retract and Disconnect
- Fall of a Nation
- Vessels of Hate
- Day of Judgement
- A Note to Me
- Burn It to the Ground
- DRF
- Feel Fine
- Rust and Nail
Label: Despotz Records
Genre: Alternative Metal
Release Date EU: April 14th, 2017
