Description
Desultory – Bitterness – Cassette
Desultory’s Bitterness, released in 1994 by Metal Blade Records, stands as a pivotal work in the evolution of Swedish death metal, showcasing the band’s adept fusion of melodic elements with the genre’s inherent aggression. Following their 1993 debut, Into Eternity, Bitterness reflects Desultory’s progression towards a more melodic sound, while retaining the intensity characteristic of their earlier work.
The album opens with ‘Life Shatters’, immediately immersing listeners in a blend of melancholic melodies and robust riffing, setting the tone for the tracks that follow. ‘Left Behind’ and ‘Taste of Tragedy’ exemplify the band’s skill in balancing speed and melody, featuring rapid tempos interspersed with harmonious guitar leads. In contrast, ‘A Closing Eye’ introduces a more somber atmosphere, with a calm keyboard introduction leading into epic, monumental guitar melodies. The track ‘Enslaved’ stands out for its brutality and energy, beginning with an explosive introduction and featuring sharp, intricate guitar work that transitions into a death metal storm. The album concludes with ‘Cold Bitterness’, a track that encapsulates the band’s death metal prowess, leaving a lasting impression of their technical brilliance.
Critics have lauded Bitterness for its innovative approach to melodic death metal. Reviews highlight the album’s seamless integration of melody and aggression, with one noting, ‘Desultory took the best aspects of ‘Wolverine Blues’… and added their own flourishes. They created music that was as heavy, challenging and complex as anything in Sweden at the time.’
Another review emphasizes the album’s unique sound, stating, ‘There are few (if any) records that sound similar. The slower moments bear comparison to Paradise Lost… The faster songs predict what Deceased would later do on ‘Fearless Undead Machines’.’
The production of Bitterness was handled by Tomas Skogsberg at the renowned Sunlight Studio, a hub for Swedish death metal recordings. The album’s cover artwork, created by Kristian Wåhlin, complements the music’s dark and intricate themes. The lineup for this album includes Klas Morberg on vocals and guitar, Stefan Pöge on lead guitar, Thomas Johnson on drums, and Håkan Morberg on bass. Notably, Bitterness was the last album to feature guitarist Stefan Pöge, whose departure significantly impacted the band’s subsequent musical direction.
This album remains a significant piece in the history of melodic death metal, reflecting Desultory’s innovative contributions to the genre during the early 1990s.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic seal
Metal Blade Records
Track Listing
1. Life Shatters
2. Left Behind
3. Closing Eye, A
4. Taste Of Tragedy
5. Bleeding
6. Among Mortals
7. Enslaved
8. Winter
9. Cold Bitterness
