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DIABOLOGY
Father Of Serpents

Dissonant Hymns (2022)
Rating: 7/10

Los Angeles, California-based thrashers Diabology returns with an impressive and quite groove-based, almost grungy opus that from the off, dare I say it, plunges into an almost Nirvana-cum-death / thrash vibe.

Father Of Serpents is an interesting record even though it’s relatively simple. The vocals of Jesse Bergen certainly drift towards a lazy grunge-inspired drool, and musically – particularly from the opening title track – there’s a real versatility to the trio as they showcase flexibility last heard way back in the 90s when bands of a more extreme design were experimenting with styles. The riffs throughout this record really do chug along and there are also some excellent fizzing leads and steady rhythmic percussion, but it is the vocal variations which bring this record to your attention.

‘Writhe’ is certainly more of a lumbering thrashy / death chug although there are strong groove metal elements too, but for me the thrash is sporadic. ‘Eat My Heart Out’ for example really dips its toes into the faster paced structures which are racing in tandem with a snappier vocal, but suddenly we find ourselves once again in an almost nu-metal style of ranting – and that’s the recurring theme with Diabology.

‘March To Sea’ starts out like a stoner track, bruising in its fat, fleshy rolls, and ‘Spoil’ is melodious but very mid-to-late-90s in its feel, although the leads hint at something a touch more traditional. Meanwhile, ‘Ode To Ogtha’ has a thrashy menace and features some gnarly bass before trudging with a hardcore groove before the vocals once again slip into an interesting if somewhat unorthodox rappy chop.

Diabology is certainly an intriguing act. ‘Chimera’ shifts effortlessly from a stoner lumber to thrashier gallop, while closer ‘Lighthouse Hymn’ begins with a nasty, abrasive glare. This album is a difficult one to pin down but I admire the guys for some of the strategies they offer.

Neil Arnold

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