Raw, unfettered devastation is something that many acts throughout the vast underground of the global metal scene have sought to deliver for decades now. As is the case in many scenarios with a clear vision in mind, only true disciples of the craft are able to bring it forth in such a forward that is compelling but still original at least a little bit while never once allowing for a shred of compromise to be had. To bring clarity and splendor to such a particularly aggressive craft, however, takes a special kind of talent, especially if we’re talking about always making sure the levels of evisceration are constantly at a high. For their newest effort, Crust shows us how that’s done in magnificent fashion.

It’s already hard enough to bring forward material that can really capture the attention of many while not allowing it to become a frail shell seeking to imitate the mastery of those who have come before or simply falling flat on its face as it’s not able to gain a solid foothold. In the past nine years, though, Crust has been building itself upon to become a true menace of the underground with their particularly potent blend of black, doom, death, and sludge metal that amalgamate into quite an intimidating sound that has been slowly but surely evolving with each passing release. “Dissolution” stands as their fifth full-length album and one that is not to be passed up whether you’re familiar with the name or new to it like myself. No one is spared throughout the whole of this 9-track assault upon the very light of the human soul with the core of black and sludge metal making sure that the fury, power, and all-consuming hunger of Crust’s sound is given plenty of opportunities to ravage wherever possible. The dissonant riff plays as much a part in the destruction of “Dissolution” as does the undeniable pouring of agony and hatred towards the hateful and oftentimes contradictory values that keep humans together despite how much we may wish to think we’re above such low standards, and it all comes together to pack one hell of a punch over and over again as Crust lays forth an immensely forward, outright devastating series of thrusts right to the throat whose goal is savagely simple: obliterate all that comes in its path. Crust sought out to annihilate and salt the earth behind them with this record, and with plenty of terror and macabre splendor to spare, “Dissolution” more than achieves such depravity.

Deceptively simplistic with much rage and complexity hidden just beneath the skin, Crust has put forth a tremendously explosive display for the absolute entirety of this record. This is what happens when the meeting of black and sludge metal is approached with an exceedingly high level of care and attention to detail with there being no survivors in sight nor does Crust leave any hope for a comeback for life of any sort. “Dissolution” is a hostile landscape that only seeks flames to reach beyond the horizon and the haunting cacophony of nothingness to spread across the land with every ounce of power brought forth in this album more than capable of bringing about such an apocalypse.

“Dissolution” releases on December 15th via Avantgarde Music!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Dissolution” on Bandcamp here, or via YouTube below.

LIKE Crust on Facebook here.