DECREE FATELESS ALBUM ARTOFFACT RELEASE: MAY 5, 2011 REVIEW: MAY 10, 2011

Whoa, this is a manly album. It sounds huge, hairy, evil and heavy as fuck. Now a trio consisting of Chris Peterson, Sean Lawson and Ross Redhead, Decree have taken their sweet time with this their third album. It’s been seven years since the last - also brilliant - full length “Moment of Silence”, and obviously the boys have spent all this time sitting in a dark chamber learning how to torture their instruments into sounding even more like a snarling demon from the underworld.

Chris has hinted that this album would have hints of his old Will project, and he’s not wrong. Especially “Arrogance” is a good showcase of this, with that almost tribal feel to it. It’s a simply fantastic track, powerful and relentless. And that little cello is adorable.

The sound is a bit more structured this time around, with a more organic style featuring guitars and drums in addition to the electronics. Songs are often slow, grinding, monotone and immensely effective. Sort of like Ministry’s slower songs.

Coupled with the flawless and simply huge sounding production, this album just begs to be played loud like you just don’t care. This is Decree’s finest hour, so far.

JOHAN CARLSSON