Demidead – “War Against Ourselves”

Demidead
“War Against Ourselves”
Out : April 23, 2024

Demidead’s latest album, “War Against Ourselves”, is an ambitious, thunderous exploration of inner turmoil through the lens of thrash, groove, and death metal. In this nine-track journey, Demidead harnesses the power of extreme metal to depict the relentless struggle against mental illness, delivering both aggression and catharsis in a beautifully raw, unfiltered way.

The album’s introduction, “The Dawn of Our War” begins with a gripping speech that feels like a last rally before entering battle, setting the tone for what’s to come. It feels personal, as though we are hearing the final thoughts of someone preparing for an internal war. This theme is fully realized in “Revelation Within” where explosive riffs and a deep, groove-driven rhythm take hold immediately. The track’s solid, unyielding riffs resemble massive walls, imposing and intense, effectively pulling the listener into Demidead’s soundscape.

Following this powerful opener, “Everything Burns” establishes a heavy groove that reverberates with ferocity. Thrash elements blend seamlessly with dissonant chords, creating an atmosphere of unrest that mirrors the turmoil of mental health battles. “Rorschach Test” builds on this theme, introducing a melody that subtly cuts through the aggression, offering moments of clarity amid the storm. The melody is haunting yet hopeful, providing a delicate balance to the heavier thrash influences and adding an emotional depth that’s hard to ignore.

Midway through the album, “52 Rise” and “Incarnation of Death” bring in hardcore influences, adding an almost primal edge to the sound, bringing Demidead’s sound toward a crossover-thrash result that draws power from its punk roots. The bass is thick and overpowering, grounding each song with a stomp-like quality that feels brutally honest and in-your-face. This hardcore infusion is further exemplified in “War Against Ourselves” delivering the high-energy riffs and pounding rhythms that are Demidead’s signature. Here, they strip down their sound to its most raw, unapologetic form, channeling rage and frustration into an unforgiving auditory onslaught.

Demidead also ventures into death metal territory with “Pollution Eden” a track that blends their thrash foundation with melodic death elements, adding sharpness and aggression while incorporating hints of melody. “Only One Thing” follows suit, taking on a more progressive approach with dramatic dissonance and layered riffs that give the track an almost hypnotic quality. Both tracks showcase Demidead’s willingness to experiment, pushing their sound in new directions while staying rooted in their heavy origins.

The album closes on an unexpected, impactful note with “When My Demons Overcome” where post-metal and atmospheric influences come into play. A soulful melody is woven through the track, adding a haunting sense of finality to the record. It feels like a last stand against one’s inner demons, with heavier, stomping riffs carrying an emotional weight that lingers long after the song ends.

“War Against Ourselves” is an intense, evocative work that transforms the chaos of mental illness into an emotional metal experience. Demidead brings together thrash, groove, hardcore, and death metal in a way that feels unified and purposeful. Each track serves as a chapter in this war of self, blending brutality with unexpected moments of melodic release.

Tracklist:

1. The Dawn Of Our War
2. Revalation Within
3. Everything Burns
4. Rorschach Test
5. 5 2 Rise
6. Pollution Eden
7. Incarnation Of Death
8. Only One Thing
9. War Against Ourselves
10. When My Demons Overcome