Despised Icon – The Ills of Modern Man
Century Media Records – CD77642-2 – May 22, 2007
By Jason Jordan
Deathcore aficionados need to hear Despised Icon. With each release, the Canadians attempt to prove they’re the best in the business, even if The Ills of Modern Man isn’t an improvement over their first Century Media installment The Healing Process. It’s not a letdown either, though.
Like many of their death-oriented countrymen, DI are consistently out for blood as their full-lengths impress in many facets. It’s apparent, however, that The Ills of Modern Man lacks personality when compared to another powerful entry by a similar band – All Shall Perish’s The Price of Existence. Nonetheless, they get a lot more right than wrong here. The hardcore characteristics are still out in full force, as are the death metal attributes, and they once again utilize a copious amount of pig-like vocals and gang shouts in addition to regular growls. Canada appears to have the most talented musicians per capita – especially in regards to any and all forms of death metal – and the musicianship is nothing short of astounding, which literally goes with the territory. Most, if not all, of the songs adhere to the standard formula as far as structure is concerned – what with all the stopping and starting – so one might as well headbang to ‘In the Arms of Perdition’ as ‘A Fractured Hand.’ In different words, because the songs have the same properties, there aren’t any tracks that stand head and shoulders above the rest. ‘Fainted Blue Ornaments’ comes close, though, due to the tension therein.
Thus, The Ills of Modern Man is most effective when listened to in its entirety – not just one or two individual tracks. At 40 minutes, Ills is longer than The Healing Process, too, so be prepared for even more lacerating material this time around. As expected, the latest from Despised Icon is a good, if predictable, full-length from a bankable act.
Official Despised Icon Website
Official Century Media Website
Century Media Records – CD77642-2 – May 22, 2007
By Jason Jordan
Deathcore aficionados need to hear Despised Icon. With each release, the Canadians attempt to prove they’re the best in the business, even if The Ills of Modern Man isn’t an improvement over their first Century Media installment The Healing Process. It’s not a letdown either, though.
Like many of their death-oriented countrymen, DI are consistently out for blood as their full-lengths impress in many facets. It’s apparent, however, that The Ills of Modern Man lacks personality when compared to another powerful entry by a similar band – All Shall Perish’s The Price of Existence. Nonetheless, they get a lot more right than wrong here. The hardcore characteristics are still out in full force, as are the death metal attributes, and they once again utilize a copious amount of pig-like vocals and gang shouts in addition to regular growls. Canada appears to have the most talented musicians per capita – especially in regards to any and all forms of death metal – and the musicianship is nothing short of astounding, which literally goes with the territory. Most, if not all, of the songs adhere to the standard formula as far as structure is concerned – what with all the stopping and starting – so one might as well headbang to ‘In the Arms of Perdition’ as ‘A Fractured Hand.’ In different words, because the songs have the same properties, there aren’t any tracks that stand head and shoulders above the rest. ‘Fainted Blue Ornaments’ comes close, though, due to the tension therein.
Thus, The Ills of Modern Man is most effective when listened to in its entirety – not just one or two individual tracks. At 40 minutes, Ills is longer than The Healing Process, too, so be prepared for even more lacerating material this time around. As expected, the latest from Despised Icon is a good, if predictable, full-length from a bankable act.
Official Despised Icon Website
Official Century Media Website
