-Review compiled by James Donavan of Metallistorm Magazine-
Dissection- many people hear the name and write them off as another failed project doomed to die of financial insecurity in a world which doesn't care. Others respond with gruff indifference, shrugging them off as average at best, even when considering some of their most popular tracks in the underground scene. Others still just shake their heads and wonder: 'Who?', as the band aren't exactly mainstream success stories to say the least; in short, the band are enigmatic, shadowed in negativety and unrecognised dark talents. Not that in the least they deserve to be.
For although it is certain the band will never make a number 1 single, or sell out vast arenas across the globe, they still do have their select charms, and those charms are directed to us, those surviving metalheads living in an age of pop and struggling to last on. And those charms are far from subtle. Nay, the impact Dissection have is more akin to a sledgehammer hitting you in the face. They are not here to make friends. They are here to play unstoppably brutish death freaking metal. And they are here to stay.
The last album Dissection released, 2010's mixed bag 'My World of Ruins', offered a grim statement of intent- every song, although not perfectly formed, was possessed of a savagery, an aggression that barely paused for breath, let alone took any prisoners. It is this template sound, a vicious tangible wall of noise, that Dissection have built their submerged fame around. Even though 'My World of Ruins' was only semi-decent at best, with plenty of unmemorable moments, it left the fans hungering for more of the same: simple straight-up concentrated fury. And on the current recording, the as-yet-to-be-released 'We Are The Violent Ones', that is precisely what they give. Just listening to this album I could feel the oozing malice and determination of the band, their dedication to their chaotic musical vibe. I continued on, savouring every blastbeat, every screaming solo, every skull-crushing riff. Is it brutal, you may ask? Is it purist Dissection at heart? The answer is a resonant yes.

Track Breakdown
1: 'We Are The Violent Ones'- 3:27. As we have come to expect from the band, the first song on the album is a typically excellent title track, just as present on 'In This River of Tears' [The bands second album- Ed] and on this recording's predecessor. The first thing you notice is a barbarous snarling riff accompanied by frankly explosive blastbeats rise from a static silence before breaking into one of the finest beatdowns ever heard by these ears. The vocals add to this all-consuming sense of rage, giving depth and dimension as well as another source of rampancy. An exceptional start indeed.
2: 'On Your Grave I Stand'- 3:46. Following on from the title track is always a hard prospect, but by some malformation of natural law, Dissection have managed it on this absolute brute of a circle-pit anthem. The guitars spiral up and down remorselessly, weaving a suffocating web of churning notes that threatens to completely engulf the listener; when Kurt Helborg adds to this medley with his trademark gurgles, it becomes completely intoxicating and impossible to resist. A phenomenal continuation of the albums promise.
3: 'Death Is Our Communion'- 4:11. Sadly, a third-time lucky was not waiting in the wings for this album as the song quality suddenly hits a downward turn. That is not to say this song is weak, however. Far from it! Although not quite as relentless as those gone before, the lead guitar line is of the finest standard, and the frantic drumming from Whyte in the background is almost rib-rattling such is it's speed. It is just the vocals that slip up here. They are scratchier and less thunderous than before, being more of a cracked shriek than a growl. A little dissapointing, but fine DM nonetheless.
4:'Why Won't You Scream?'- 3:10. The working title of this track could well have been: 'finest moshing anthem ever invented'. The refrains are catchy as well as complex, the bass clatter is tuned rather than it's usual noisesome drone, and the lyrics are nothing short of inspired- in delivery and in substance. If there has to be a negative point of the song it is the fact it seems to be leaning more towards mainstream melo-death rather than the standard purist style of the album, but this is a minor quibble. A skillfully done display.
5: 'A Contradiction'- 4:44. Being previously labelled for release on 'My World of Ruins', this song left me feeling a little underwhelmed. After the high-quality musicmanship inherent on the previous four tracks, 'A Contradiction' sort of stumbles over it's own feet. It has none of the bite and spark Dissection usually exhibit, has atypical DM lyrics gifted with no real magnitude and just seems to be flatter and ploddier than the other songs. It has markably good drumming and a stunning bass grind, but is uninspired in the main instrument area and suffers for it. A low point of the album.
6: 'Clean Hands Go Foul'- 3:58. Again not one of the best tracks on the record. This song doesn't make mistakes as grave as it's predecessor, but it does somehow manage to be slow where it should be fast, laboured where it should be fluid and rough where it should be smooth. Don't get me wrong, it has easily phenomenal potential (just listen to the primal scream of the solo!), but needs fine-tuning to be truly impressive. A little weak, but showing some inner fire yet.
7: 'Annihilation Plague'- 2:57. A short, sharp, gruesome explosion of some of the most brutal music I have ever been exposed to. From the word 'go' the song rages and roils, spitting fire, acid and god knows what else as it crashes through two of the most violent minutes of the listeners life. Not even some Slayer songs can compare to this in terms of sheer anger and barbarism, and to compound upon it's glory it is musically adept too! This track is an example of top-form, a-grade Dissection music, and well-worth a play.
8: 'Awaken the Tides'- 5:57. The longest song on the album but one of the best. It builds with an uncharacteristically dark intro, inclusive of melancholic gothic undertones and synthesisers, before steadily developing into a traditional carnageous riff (a frequent stylistic feature of the band). The vocals are sketchy in places and the solo is mis-timed and ill-played, but the song retains a degree of strength regardless of these downers. A nice change from the usual brevity of the band.
9: 'Suffer'- 3:13. After the minor distraction that was the previous song, we return to the realm of the smaller snippets of savagery. 'Suffer' is by no means an anthemic song; indeed, I cannot see the band playing this rather filler-esque number live. However, it is still a passable effort, with a nice stop-start lick and well-written vocals depicting the pain through which a betrayed lover goes. It could do with improvement, but still manages to avoid the honour of worst song. Luckily.
10: 'Descent Into Depravity'- 2:59. Speaking of the worst song... It is my belief that the band tried to emulate their previously triumphant track 'Annihilation Plague' here, but nailed their hands to their instruments to do so (or in the case of Kurt, nailed his lips together). The song is messy, badly conceived, has no visible riff structure to it and positively crawls off and dies when compared to other songs on the record. A sadly disastrous ending to an otherwise impressive record.

Score= 8.5/10. A definite improvement, but one that still needs developing to be truly stunning.

Kurt Helborg and Kollen Whyste on 'We Are The Violent Ones'- interview conducted by James Donavan, Metallistorm Magazine
James Donavan: What d'you guys think of the new record?
Kurt Helborg: Brilliant- I love the sound and the songs. They are perhaps the most brutal we've ever written. Some of them, man, seem to be almost alive: like they wanna come out of the CD player and devour your soul!
Kollen Whyste: We had a great producer this time around. Black Label Records [UK-based metal recording company- Ed] gave us some extra budget to work with, so we fine-tuned everything. We wanted to achieve the best effect we could, and I really think we managed it. I mean, every instrument on the album is so crisp and clear, something we have been unable to do in the past three records cases.
James Donavan: How well d'you think it'll sell?
Kurt Helborg: Screw the sales! We don't freakin' care, man! We're not here to pander to the needs of whiny emo kids or pop barbie dolls- we just wanna make our music, hit the world with it, and then sit back with a beer and watch the sparks fly! Yeah- damn sales. We've got our fans- that's all that matters to us.
James Donavan: Finally, what's your favourite track on the album?
Kurt Helborg: 'Annihilation Plague'. Pure, no-nonsense death metal in under three minutes. I'll drink to that!
Kollen Whyste: I quite like 'Awaken the Tides', actually. It gave us a chance to exhibit something new, something unheard of in our songs- that oddly sinister melodic side contrasted really well with the usual aggression. And of course the title track; I think it's the best we've done yet!


All Material Owned by Dissection and Black Label Records.
Interview and Review Owned by Metallistorm Magazine.
Current Tour: 'On the Grave of the States I Stand' U.S Tour.
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