Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Sun Descends - Incinerating The Meek - 2006 - Twilight

Track Listing1. Angry Male Gods 2. Presence 3. Day Rat 4. Menacing Devils 5. Intercepting Daggers 6. Fallen Saint (Exumer) 7. Broken Seals 8. The Circle Rises 9. Third Column 10. Incinerate Them

Finally, a real thrash gem finds its way out of the barren soundscapes, really finding the light after so many dark years. Sun Descends is indeed a bright moment for me personally, offering up miles and miles of thrashings and bashings in a quest to dominate today's hybrid market. This group, this tight knit group, offers up straight ahead full fledged thrash, completely unbridled and restless in it's attempt to bang forever. Here the band release their first full length album of original material, going back to the roots of thrash by visiting the likes of Destruction, Kreator, Blessed Death, and of course the sadistic, gut wrenching assault of Slayer.

Some of you early whippersnappers may remember a German legend by the name of Exumer. The band released two albums in the mid-80s, one of which featured vocalist Mem V. Stein, who we see and hear as the frontman for the subject at hand, Sun Descends. Using the same raspy delivery, Stein focuses all efforts on delivering high speed affairs in much the same fashion as his work with Exumer twenty years ago. Backing his high performance is Sam Awry on guitars, Jillian Ann La Boy on bass, and Ojayy behind the kit. The album was produced by Don Fury at Cyclone Sound Studios in New York.

From the opening track the listener goes through shellshock, completely annihilated with the over the top thrash attack seen so often in the 80s. This isn't so over the top that it becomes abrassive, instead this is a much more smooth approach at aggressive music and raw, intense emotion. Cuts like "Angry Male Gods" and "Day Rat" headbang all over stage and speakers, really moving swiftly in one sweeping motion, dominated by quick riffs and Stein's "clean" thrash rants. Awry fills the need for ear candy, stopping to flash everyone with his skillful lead playing. Highlight for me was the revisit to Exumer's "Fallen Saint" track.



--EC 08.16.06