Description
Despair – Decay Of Humanity – Cassette
Despair’s Decay of Humanity, released in 1990 by Century Media Records, stands as a significant work in the technical thrash metal genre. This sophomore album showcases the German band’s evolution from their debut, History of Hate, introducing a more polished production and intricate compositions that highlight their technical prowess.
The album opens with the title track, ‘Decay of Humanity,’ setting an aggressive tone with its rapid riffs and complex structures. Following this, ‘Cry for Liberty’ and ‘Delusion’ continue to display the band’s ability to blend speed with melody, featuring dynamic tempo changes and thought-provoking lyrics. ‘Victims of Vanity’ offers a critique of societal superficiality, while ‘A Distant Territory’ stands out with its distinctive bass introduction, showcasing the versatility of bassist Klaus Pachura. The album progresses with ‘Silent Screaming’ and ‘Radiated,’ both delivering relentless energy and technical precision. Closing the album, ‘Satanic Verses’ provides a powerful finale, encapsulating the band’s thematic focus on societal and existential issues.
The production of Decay of Humanity was a collaborative effort, with recording taking place at Mohrmann-Studios in West Germany and mixing at Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida. This combination resulted in a clear and polished sound that allows the intricate guitar work and rhythmic complexity to shine. The lineup for this album features Andreas Henschel on vocals, Waldemar Sorychta and Marek Greschek on guitars, Klaus Pachura on bass, and Markus Freiwald on drums. Notably, Waldemar Sorychta would later become a renowned producer and member of bands like Grip Inc.
Decay of Humanity received mixed reviews. Some praised its technical complexity and polished production, while others felt the songs were repetitive and the vocal styles inconsistent. One reviewer noted that the album’s unique style of fast riffs and drum beats bore some similarity to Anthrax, but criticized the randomness in musical elements and vocal delivery. Despite these critiques, the album has maintained a following among thrash metal enthusiasts, appreciated for its ambitious compositions and thematic depth.
This album remains a noteworthy entry in the thrash metal genre, reflecting Despair’s technical skill and engagement with complex themes.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the original factory plastic
Century Media Records
Track Listing
decay of humanity
cry of liberty
delusion
victims of vanity
a distant territory
silent screamin
radiated
satanic verses
