Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Dew Scented - Issue VI - 2005 - Nuclear Blast

Track Listing1. Processing Life 2. Rituals Of Time 3. Turn To Ash 4. Ruins Of Hope 5. Out Of The Self 6. The Prison Of Reason 7. Bled Dry 8. In Defeat 9. Never To Return 10. Vortex 11. Conceptual End 12. Evil Dead

What a monumental, awe inspiring force this is, a record that just cracks and thunders from the first riff, a solid album from top to bottom and a classic thrash record that helps solidfy this type of sound. Dew Scented have returned in grand fashion, unloading a furious hell ride with their sixth record to date, "Issue VI". Where other bands seem to be mired in a modern groove oriented thrash sound, Dew Scented take it back to the roots, back to where thrash was just total chaotic mayhem. Armed with quite possibly the finest drummer in the business in Uwe Werning, Dew Scented are well on their way to not only dominating the thrash underground but moving past bands like Kreator and Destruction in a valid attempt to gain that top rung position.

"Issue VI" is just absolutely amazing, a speed metal sensation that just never stops or quits, a relentless attempt to annihilate everything it it's path, and in my opinion succeeds. This album is built on quick paced bullets, those cuts that glue themselves together with the heaviest hitter approach, with Werning just mesmerizing behind the drum kit. His double bass is reminiscent of the Morbid Angel or Hate Eternal approach, but his hands work in a German thrash motion, never quite hitting blast beat speeds but definitely bordering on that quick pace. At times he recalls the finest Canadian thrash drummer in Anvil skinsman Robb Reiner, both of which use drum rolls and fills that are just deafening. But looking past the bombastic battery comes the lethal guitar combo of Mueller and Bache, with both of these six-string slingers unleashing some of the fastest rhythm that I've heard in quite some time. You won't hear a whole lot of melody with Dew Scented, but they more than make up for it with quick timing changes and some addictive riffing.

The Holy Moses vibe comes across with this band simply because 'Moses guitarist Andy Classen is involved again with the production. He produced the band's 2001 release "Inwards", and is obvious a good influence on the group. That German thrash sound could not possibly be done any better than Holy Moses and in some way I would imagine Classen sees Dew Scented in the same light, possibly passing the torch so to speak. After almost a decade of recording, Dew Scented have finally reached that epic, career defining moment with this new record. "Issue VI" burns with a rare intensity, a burning desire to play the loudest and fastest at all costs. That attitude and demeanor is certainly heard on this release, with all twelve cuts being the most vicious and notorious thrash I've heard, really defining an early thrash approach in this modern era. Fans of the old school sound, well just hurry up and be a part of this. All indications show Dew Scented leading the next wave of thrash, no longer the follower but indeed a leader.




--EC 06.22.05