ALBUM REVIEW: Oxygen Destroyer – Guardian Of The Universe

Kaiju Death-Thrashers OXYGEN DESTROYER are back with their third album! Set for release via Redefining Darkness Records and Headsplit Records on August 9th.

Following a cinematic sampled introduction, bestial thrashing force decimates all in their path. The superbly produced blend of lacerating guitars and crushing production with a thick low end blisters the skin with sheer intensity. Their undeniably tight playing hugely assisting this visceral execution to ensure each instrumental blow feels like a claw tearing through you in a singular sweep. Soaring at ridiculous speeds, the maddening skill of this band is definitely impressive, but they still retain some dynamics here and there to emphasise the sheer magnitude of their extremity. Balancing technique and pure metallic pounding force in perfect harmony, Oxygen Destroyer definitely wear their influences on their sleeves but more important have their own personality. The savage vocals are just as fearsome as the instruments which range from primitively tasteful grooving to infernos of pure malice. Whatever their flavour, ultimate death-thrashing carnage is always cranked to eleven and the first couple tracks of this record should have you bolted to your seat and salivating for more.

If you can withstand the battery, do not get too confident. These guys always seem to manage to inject even more ferocity into the caustic assault. The tightness of the playing and high quality mix definitely make it feel more bearable on the ear, but wimps certainly won’t thrive in such a hostile environment. Their utterly frantic moments feel panicked with an animalistic aggression creeping into every riff or blast, while the leads take a second to simply show the majesty of the whole thing. This is a record where every element feels like it holds its place and value without needing to rest on their laurels for a moment. Surging forward at an alarming rate, this album feels more like it’s chasing you than serving you… and you better run fast from this behemoth of titanic barbarity.

Remaining seething until the end, this record is a non-stop maelstrom of violence and mayhem. Every song feels fuelled to overdrive with a lust for obliteration and the delivery of the whole band is magnificent. Razor-sharp guitar playing and blitzkrieg drumming synchronise in perfect harmony to deliver armageddon while the building-shaking rhythms and window-shattering leads leave plenty of room for the piercing vocals to rip through the mix. Balanced use of the drum kit makes for a more interesting listen when so many blast-beats occur and this album definitely feels like the band have found their strongest sound to date across the board. The intensity and musicality are absolutely relentless and if you expect to be shown mercy; you clearly haven’t been paying attention. Get this thing cranked and summon the Kaiju. Just make sure to find a good place to watch cities crumble from with this ultimate soundtrack to ruination and slaughter.

Although all of their works to date have been strong, this is likely my favourite Oxygen Destroyer to date. The aggression and skill are at an all time high, but the band still hold that classic Death/Thrash Metal feeling in high regard. The more high-end production feels necessary to harness all of these pulverising elements but hasn’t gone overboard with polishing away their underground charm. “Guardian Of The Universe” is a punishing and massively rewarding listen of truly excellent, ecstatic and rabid Extreme Metal.