In Dust We Trust

Due to recent lineup fluctuations, it appears as if In Dust We Trust will be the last time we ever hear from Disciples of Power, and in many ways it is a bittersweet end cap to a rather harried scorched earth run through the '90s. I'm not averse to calling this one of the band's heavier records, but not in the sludgy, churning epithet executed on Ominous Prophecy. In Dust We Trust is more content to rack up a body count by more orthodox means, at times redolent of the debut but still somewhat lacking in the speed department in comparison. Bachmier is still his unique self behind the mic, his gravelly, narrated diatribe style of vocals perhaps more suited to this later style than the likes of Mechanikill.

The production values are also more congruent to the band's unique style; perhaps more than ever. The drums have a resonant, live snappiness, and the guitars sound more airtight and focused, which helps showcase Disciples of Power's pseudo-progressive Voivod inclinations. It still has the proclivity to dig itself into a meandering rut at times, but the more surgical disposition of the riffing helps mitigate some of these ebbing moments; certainly more so than on earlier records. Also making more appearances than normal are melodic, more classically-inflected leads, lending to a mixing pot of interesting contrasts. Disciples of Power specialize in a rather wide array of dynamics, and this trademark characteristic remained in good health as late as this record. For example, the thrashing discord that underpins sections of the murkier "Pharmaceutical Suicide" offsets the death metal assault with grand returns.

The band manages to kick up some idiosyncratic dust when locked into a swinging groove, but they would rather press their Morbid Angel side via the off-kilter staggered rhythm constructions and stygian leadwork. "Dimensions of the Dragon Sky" is truly a jackhammer number, razing the landscape with the twisted knuckles of clanging percussion and voracious death churns. Even better is "Armored Ring of Skull," which showcases Bachmier at his strangest, yet never forgets to crank the thrash dial appreciably. The voracious opening of the title track holds equal ground with these standouts, but it must be said that In Dust We Trust is superior as a collective vision as opposed to the sum of its individual parts. Tracks are on the longish side, yet give ample breathing room for these Canadians to work their asymmetrical death/thrash magicks on the listener.

In Dust We Trust might be the band's best since Ominous Prophecy, and sounds just as endearingly '90s as the remainder of the band's catalogue. "Cursing of Winter" might not be the best choice for an opener, but all eight tracks have their appeals, skirting back and forth between death metal indignance and thrashier ballistic fare. Canadian death metal with a fair amount of Voivod weirdness; not something I thought I would enjoy this much. This band needs more attention.