Viva Destral!

Hi! 

We are Destral, a Classic Heavy Metal band from Valencia, Spain. 

We released our first long play last June 14th and we are very proud of it, so it will be an honour if you make a review of it, also if you want to do an interview with the band will be awesome. 

LINE-UP
Fernando- Drums
Manuel- Vocals
Alberto- Bass
Carlos- Guitar
Daniel- Guitar (rhythm)

REVIEW

As you read above, DESTRAL reached out to us directly here at TheNWOTHM, which is always humbling and blows my mind as a poor kid from Ohio.

I am in love with that album art, it’s so eye catching and yet so simple and has that real DIY feel to it. The same goes for their standard logo, simple but striking. It reminds me a bit of the neo-thrash stuff in the early 2000s. “Destral” means “hatchet” in Spanish for those wondering, and I should note that my Spanish knowledge is elementary at best. Alas, let us begin!

The “Intro” leads us into the album with some excellent synth and keyboard work that reminded me a bit of classic Nintendo games, like Castlevania. “Fantasmas”, had some amazing licks in the beginning that had me hooked right away. The vocals had a ferocity and power behind them, and even with my not knowing much Spanish, the emotion was unquestionable and infectious. This was a great way to introduce the album and DESTRAL to the world.

“Allibera’t” had a harsher, almost thrashy, introductory riff with a real chugginess behind it. The drumming is the star of this one for sure, Fernando is a beast on the set. The melody of the chorus was a treat as well. While it didn’t quite reach the heights of the opener, this was still a solid track that I wouldn’t skip.

“Silenci per al malferit” opened with a proper tasty riff and became a run of the mill fare until about the 3 minute mark, where the tempo completely shifted. The sustains and sweeps from then were intoxicatingly good. And again, I must highlight the delivery of the vocals. It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. That last salvo turned an okay track into a certified banger in my book.

“Condenado” was another more middle of the road affair, but it did feature an absolute standout of a guitar solo, oh and the riff that followed said solo was pure magic. Like the previous track, the second half of this one was much stronger than the first, but I felt that it never quite reached the heights of the previous track. But it came oh so close to it.

“Fembres pecadrius” began with some bells (I think) in the background coupled with some absolutely beautiful lead guitar that was much slower and subdued than everything thus far. Even as the riff kicked in and the band joined in, this one had an entirely different feel from the rest of the record up to now. Even the vocals are delivered differently! This was a banger to the highest degree and was such a great way to begin the second half of the album. There’s a tempo shift where Manuel’s banshee cry unleashes the band into a speed metal assault of pure beauty. If nothing else, go out of your way to listen to this one from DESTRAL.

“Nit fosca de l’ànima” really reminded me of another metal band, but I was totally blank on who it was. That’s meant as a compliment by the way! Regardless, this track was really where I noticed the bass, subtle but it’s there, and the groove that Alberto was keeping was pure steel. Another epic guitar solo in this one as well.

“Exterminación” opened with a proper drum roll, followed by a real thumper of a riff. Whew, Manuel’s vocals are on fire in this one! Love everything about the guitars at around the 3 minute mark, just excellent stuff. I really like the cadence of sung Spanish, it’s a language that seems to lend itself to music.

“Barrejat”, our penultimate track, began with an onslaught of basslines that would make Cliff Burton proud. Really, the bass in this one was a standout throughout, and that was very refreshing to see the bassist get a chance to properly shine and strut their stuff. It wasn’t all bass though, everyone was giving it their all with this one, including with a great riff at around 2:20.

“Història sense final” was our closing track, and also our longest. Also, it was here that I figured out who DESTRAL reminded me of, and especially who Manuel’s vocals reminded me of. Their countrymen HITTEN, and Alex Panza’s vocals. Ooh that riff at 3:40 sizzles! This was a hell of a way to close out the album, and I think it second only to “Fembres pecadrius” for my favorites on the album.

CONCLUSION

This was a pleasant surprise and then some! Manuel’s vocals were an absolute treat all throughout. The dual guitarwork of Carlos and Daniel was a bonafide assault of great riffs and gnarly solos. While Fernando’s drumming and Alberto’s bass kept the groove a flowing, with both having chances of their own to shine. This was a great record that I can’t wait to own (just as soon as I can stomach those shipping prices from Spain haha). DESTRAL have all of the pieces to really be a strong force in the NWOTHM scene

TheNWOTHM Score: 9/10

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DESTRAL’s “Alça La Destral” released on 14 June, 2024