Disquiet – Instigate to Annihilate (Soulseller Records)
Monday, 9th May 2022
With a resume that includes representing the Netherlands in the Wacken Metal Battle back in 2012, Dutch act Disquiet deliver a melodic brand of thrash pulling from Bay Area and European influences for their third full-length Instigate to Annihilate. Six years removed from their second record The Condemnation (where they stepped up to be a part of the Soulseller Records roster), these ten tracks possess a versatile sharpness when it comes to the tight riffing mechanics, killer half-time transitions/twists, and sophistication as far as marrying the musicianship and melodic/harmony properties.
The crisp fullness of the main musical hooks from guitarists Menno Ruijzendaal and Fabian Verweij contain that intuitive sensibility of development – where circular runs be it short or extended carry natural ear retention abilities, as “Designed to Violate” and the crunchier “Sicario” illustrate. Many will think of aspects of Heathen and Lyzanxia going head-to-head next to the groovier 90’s period of Overkill and Metallica when spinning many of these tracks, as vocalist Sean Maia shifts between his gruff, rough screams/growls and a controlled, mid-range melodic delivery to match the diverse needs. The five-piece know when to lay into an ideal instrumental sequence and hammer home the catchy qualities that make followers swing, bang, or throw themselves about – even if it’s more atmospheric in build-up as the start for “A Dying Fall” contains a doom-ish nature that unfolds over the course of its 5:08 play time. Tying things up in a bow are the occasional triplet hits plus thunderous fills and fleet of feet/hand combinations drummer Arthur Stam adds to the mix right away on energetic opener “Rise of the Sycophants” and you get the sense that experience and knowledge of this melodic thrash style proves Disquiet are masters of this domain. We also get a special guest appearances from Vicky Psarakis (The Agonist) and Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain), the latter adding some spectacular high melodies for closer “The Final Trumpet” that give the dynamic intensity for the composition even more heightened excitement.
Instigate to Annihilate contains a great mix of semi-technical riffing, brilliant compositions, and that enduring quality to discover something new months down the line. Ideal for those who want a little bit more than just standard thrash.
