28th July 2024

Review: “Roots Of Human Decay” by Disologist

After an initial six year run as Involker and 2019 EP “Elegy In Pain” under their collective belts, 2021 saw the Mexico City based four piece change their name to Disologist while refusing to let go of their love of Thrash Metal. Known for their thick rhythm section and fast paced riffs the outfit’s new identity seemed short lived as after re-issuing the EP under their new name in 2022, three members departed leaving guitarist and vocalist Juan Carlos “JC” Montaño Pimentel holding the baby. Reinforcements were found with bassist Elías Gasaft García Salas (ex-Axis), guitarist Uriel Clara and drummer Víctor “El Panda” Muñoz Sánchez (400, Devil’s Flesh, Skincrusher) promptly arriving. Together they wasted no time, writing a desperate call for action against humans to reduce the negative impact they are having on our planet titled “Roots Of Human Decay“, reflecting on the alarming consequences of humanities actions which may end with an uninhabitable planet.

The timing of the release of “Roots Of Human Decay” in July 2024 is something of a curiosity with two of the three tracks that make up the record having been released in November and December 2022 respectively. Having been written during the global pandemic it seems that the line up changes have forced the delay with the band stating it now marks the closing of one chapter in order to begin the next. A physical release is also planned with an additional track which has been left a surprise so there could be the temptation to write this off as a stop gap release to allow the new line up more time in the studio. However nothing could be further from the truth as within a few seconds of “Borrowed Earth” hitting the cerebral cortex. A lyrical narrative based on the global ecological catastrophe driven by consumerism as humanity doesn’t do enough to protect natural resources, for which they may pay the ultimate price is the hard hitting wake up call it’s intended to be. A hint of “Unholy Confessions” by Avenged Sevenfold is present in opening riffs, the guitar tone and some of the chord structure giving the track that air of familiarity that makes it instantly addictive. The band find their stride somewhere between Thrash and Death Metal with fist in the air gang chants and a pulsating solo as the message gets driven home in the best possible way. Progressive Metal leanings come into play in the mid section with some interesting meandering riffs that leap into Melodic Death Metal with flavours of Children Of Bodom in the slick leads.

Written in a similar style “Bleeding Justice” then finds the band joined by guitarist Erick Lugo of Longhorn Skull who drops a scorching solo as classic old school 80’s Thrash riffs in the vein of Exodus fly in all directions with alarming regularity. If this had surfaced in the Bay Area in 1986 then Disologist would have been in the on the edge of the Big Four. The second solo is just as good as the first and when people talk about the revival in the genre of recent years, this is exactly what they’re talking about. While it’s labelled as a demo, the only thing “Hymn of Nothingness” lacks is a decent mix and master because the Trivium style axe attack is in full flow from very start with the gang chants bringing that scream-a-long ability we all know and love. The ferocious vocal performance from JC feels like it has more weight behind it and the soloing is once again majestic. Syncopation between the twin soloing guitars gives it another dimension while a little whammy bar action before the final verse is the Chef’s Kiss. This should find the band offered a major label deal in the not too distant future, such is the quality of what they have on offer here. Put simply, there isn’t enough of it and you will be craving more within minutes of it coming to an end [8/10]

Track Listing