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Melodic blackened death metal with much contrast can be heard on this album. Aggressive to melodious and every variation in between can be heard on this album, pushing the dynamics of their music ever further. However, the tunes don’t have their catchiness as readily as their last one, “The Toxic Touch.” The concept does make up for it a bit though, and the names of tunes like “Poison Fog,” “Drowning In Mud,” “ and “No Survivors” should give you a bit of insight on the topic even if you have now knowledge of WWI.
Much of the album is fast past and aggressive. As always with God Dethroned they have created some intensities with their riffs that other bands only wish they could close to. Breaking up the speed are some mid-paced riffs that still hold their own and are solid through and through but not quite to the level of their last album. Songs seem more straightforward and to the point, which would make sense since “Passiondale” is a concept album. Skillful drum variations keep the music fresh while the blast beats assault your mind while increasing the power of the tracks. Henri’s legendary demon growls are once again heard at the helm. There are also select usage of clean vocals, but growls are the mainstay, as one would expect.
God Dethroned recorded this album as a trio due to the departure of Issac, however his research did help Henri with his lyrical writings. After the album was complete an audition landed guitarist Susan Gerl and she currently shares the guitar duties. And back to the fold once again is Roel Sanders, which explains the extreme nature of this record. The ten tracks and nearly forty minutes of metal were forged in Leer, Germany at Soundlodge Studio’s. The band was able to work with Jörg Uken once again, and as previous efforts have show, the production of this album is high-quality!
When it comes down to it, I really don’t know what I think about God Dethroned’s “Passiondale.” I want to say that I like it a lot but the album wasn’t quite what I expected. It’s good and all but it doesn’t really hit me like many of their other albums. When it comes to God Dethroned, concept album or not, I have come to expect a little more…
Rating: 80
Reviewed By: Jeffrey D. Adkins