This is the second album from Devils Reef, a death metal band from the US.
Following on from 2021’s Chosen by the Sea, The Droste Observer is an evolved form of this death metal predator. Offering up a lean, mean 36 minutes of new material, Devils Reef demonstrate that they are worth being mentioned in the same breath as bands like Revocation, The Black Dahlia Murder, Obscura, Allegaeon, Black Crown Initiate, and the like.
Devils Reef take the strengths of their debut album and build on them very capably with The Droste Observer. The music is refined and meaty, offering plenty of tasty content, while the songs are a cut above what many ostensibly similar acts are producing at the moment. With one extra song when compared to the debut, but a very similar running time, Devils Reef have trimmed the fat and stepped up a gear. The band are on fire.
The songs showcase Devils Reef’s technical form of death metal very nicely. Incorporating elements of thrash and groove metal into their sound makes for songs that are accessible and ear-friendly. Not for Devils Reef is the impenetrable mess of technical wizardry that characterises some modern tech death. No, this is a collection of songs that hit hard. The album is heavy and direct, yet benefits from a technical depth that simply adds to the overall experience. There’s also a surprising amount of atmospheric immersion to be had amidst the energetic aggression, which sits alongside a contemporary melodic death/thrash metal bite that’s highly compelling. The Devils Reef of 2023 is firing on all cylinders.
I like that the band aren’t just content with crafting some killer death metal tunes, but also throw in many creative ideas and musical enrichments that could have easily been left out, but their inclusion adds much value. This might be a small keyboard part, some clean singing, or something else – it’s great to see a band confident enough to try a few different things, especially when they work like they do here. Also, there are some murderously good riffs here too. Big huge riffs for all!
This is a satisfying and enjoyable record, with much to explore and dive into. Chosen by the Sea offered much potential, and on The Droste Observer that potential has been realised.
If you’re a fan of contemporary death metal then I urge you to make sure you check this out.
Wonderbox Metal 