Published on May 5, 2004
Destrophy is from Iowa City, the buzzing metropolis that yields
a lot of bands. Since time began in this area, bands have been inspired to
get-together to create music. That is par for the course. The way things have
gone is that a band builds a following, releases a CD, two at the most, then
disbands. The early ’90s were notorious for bands like that as local heavyweights
Critical Gopher, No Pain, and Sludgeplow built a strong following, only to
fizzle by either relocating to another state (No Pain, Sludgeplow) or to completely
disband due to not being able to find the right drummer (Critical Gopher).
That trend has not applied to Destrophy. Formed in 1993, the
band has been churning out metal riffs continuously over the last 11 years,
playing showcases, local, and regional gigs. In other words, they’ve been
paying their dues. The band’s recent release Chrysalis is yet another
strong step in the right direction, expanding their music from just being
about heavy metal riffs to a mature format that includes synthesizer keyboards.
The material on this release is strong. and, in a single word, musical.
Well-produced with full-sounding drums (think the opposite of
Ulrich’s sound on St. Anger and you’re in the sound park), interesting
riffs, clear vocals that offer insight into the band’s world. At the same
time, the songs show a deeper sense of maturity, such as the material’s softer
moments, such as the keyboard transition in “Why I Hate Goodbye,”
the track for which the band recently filmed a video.
Lead-off track “Let it Go” previously appeared on
the band’s ‘web demo’ release which sounds fuller on this release. The driving
bass drum stomp propels this mid-tempo stomp that serves as a perfect introduction
to the band’s sound. This track symbolizes all that is good with Destrophy.
The lyrics are interesting and provide a glimpse into the soul of vocalist/guitarist
Ari when he sings, “All I want is everything / and everyone listens when
I say / All I want is everyone / to understand everything I’ve done.”
Later, he sings, “Wake up / I’ll never be like you / Slither and suffer
in me always.”
“Waiting Game” is the type of song that will propel
this band to legendary status. The vicious distortion-thick riff and the propelling
drumbeat from Heath makes this a stand-out track. Combined with the guitar
riff and drums, Ari’s vocal delivery toggles between a clear, soothing to
aggressive for the benefit of the material. “Confession” showcases
the band’s sense of “song” as the track begins with an airy keyboard
part and calm vocals. Then the song switches to an aggressive style as Ari
sings, “Save all your anger inside as it boils through your skin / Push
me a little harder and believe I’ll give in.”
The band includes a cover of the Real Life song “Send Me
an Angel” churning out a version that is decidedly more aggressive than
the 80s pop hit. Also included is an extended version of opening track “Let
it Go” which sounds very close to the original on a surface level. Deeper
analysis shows Destrophy has played with the song to give it a second life.
After winning the 2003 edition of Rock
108‘s Battle of the Bands competition, Destrophy continues to roll. Combining
strong musical talent and new management team member Curt Smith (founding
member of Tears For Fears) has only added to the expectations for the band
by themselves and by their devoted following in eastern Iowa. The aforementioned
video for “Why I Hate Goodbye” will be used to help sign the band
to a major label. After eleven years of hard work, life is good for Destrophy.
For more information about Destrophy, visit their site
at http://www.destrophy.com.