Evolution seems to be a constant for French band Destinity. Originally developing a black metal style, they’ve morphed from symphonic black/death metal into more of a melodic death/thrash-oriented framework depending on the period you look at. Ascension as the 10th studio record seems to be leaning heavily on the melodic death platform, although there are hints of the thrash and extreme nuances that have also appeared in the six-piece arsenal at times. Proper alignment of catchy hooks and melodies next to some sinister riffs, versatile rhythm section mechanics, and the outside keyboard / aural earworms keeps this eleven-track effort razor sharp for listeners to delve into deeper, headphone absorbing dives.
A linear nature to the main chord progressions plus subsequent follow-up riffs/tempo transitions create this swirl of catchiness that forces simultaneous headbanging maneuvers – in a more chaotic blasting situation next to spacious off-time guitar/keyboard interplay as you’ll hear in early standout “Crimson Portrait”. Certain twin guitar passages will remind people of classic In Flames or Dark Tranquillity – the commercial qualities throughout “Children of the Sun” obvious between the uplifting clean/harsh vocals (the former handled by guest singer Steva of Deathless Legacy) and pulsating keyboard orchestration parts that raise tension at all the appropriate times. At times the savage breakdowns contain adequate tight rhythms as well as supplemental thunderous groove to fill drum work that are impossible to resist – check out the work in “Hollow Intent” as a prime example of whipping up a frenzy on the musical end of things.
The pace of the record shifts between energetic offerings and mid-tempo outings that pull out every emotion in the melodic death spectrum – vocalist Mick Caesare channeling a mix of growling brutality and scathing screams that are quintessential Swedish-driven even though the band hails from France. Add in the fluid lead breaks from Sébastien Vom Scheidt on other mandatory cuts like “Everdark” and “Light Up Your Sky” beyond a pristine mixing/mastering courtesy of Fascination Street Studios (Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, At the Gates) and you have the makings of the best Destinity record to date for this veteran outfit.
Given the band’s previous album Resolve in Crimson qualities, it seems like Ascension is a proper title for this effort. The band’s songwriting acumen, strong performances, and ideal knowledge at the style pushes Destinity into the upper echelon of artists willing to create addictive melodic death metal for those followers who crave newer material that could stand shoulder to shoulder to some of those classics.