Sic Semper Tyrannis

Another interesting project including Terrordome leader Uappa is Distrüster. With this outlet he is concentrating on playing a more death metal / crust like style which still has the unbound energy and raw attitude of his other projects. Formed in 2021 Distrüster have so far released one full length titled “Sic Semper Tyrannis”. Consisting of 11 relatively short cuts and a playing time of 35 minutes this album is neat little package and delivers a great and relentless ride. Uappa is accompanied by drummer James Stewart and second (?) vocalist Kosa.

The gentlemen of Distrüster happily decided not to waste precious time on riffs lasting a minute with a wrap, with James willing to show that more than one beat per kick of a second is not a special problem for a drummer of his caliber. On the contrary, the rhythm section, although characterized by a variable tempo, does not shy away from blasts and a sharp tempo on the bass drum, but also can play in slow tempo. The guitar parts may have tempered the bludger's fervor a bit, but the melodic line, though unhurried, is sharp and irreverent enough. It's also obviously intelligible and thus enjoyable to listen to. Above the instrumentation are the vocals like mentioned above. Clear and strong, also not too barky or guttural, but as solid as a stone stature and angry like an irritated bull.

The riffing is kept in mid-tempo for most of the time and immensely powerful. The guitar tone is thick and buzzy, and together with the intense vocals there is a subtly Swedish vibe inherent in the music. The songwriting is great and delivered without any kind of dull moments, with some well-placed tempo and rhythm changes giving the whole thing a great flow. Distrüster have the ability to make subtle riff changes in the songs, which gently develop the vibe without destroying the monotony, which is undoubtedly an important stylistic device here.

The songs are all kept quite short and get straight to the point. Instead of sprawling transitions and lengthy introductions, the songs are direct and brutal. Despite the crashing sound, there are enough melodic moments to make your feet bounce. Personally, I still like Distrüster best when they take some time to build up and add a little variety within one track. In any case, it's obvious that there are very talented musicians at work here, as everything is played to the point and every note is perfect. There is nothing overly complex about the music, just pure and unfiltered fun.

The production is absolutely powerful and really pushes forward. The guitar tone has an immense buzz and come across very crunchy and has enough filthiness to satisfy each fan of old-school metal music. The drums are punchy without sounding too sterile, and the overall mix is very transparent. The instrumentation is on a great level with everyone performing to a high standard. The growled, screamed and shouted vocals are at times intensified by backing vocals that contribute well to the heaviness of the music. Overall “Sic Semper Tyrannis” is a well performed and very enjoyable slab of crushing metal.