The words “legend” and “legendary” get thrown around way too much. I just saw an ad on NFL Network that referred to Victor Cruz as legendary. A legendary catch? Most definitely. But otherwise he was a decent receiver who had a knack for big plays during big games who had one big moment. Didn’t mean to torch Victor Cruz like that.
Maybe you’d say the same about long-running death/thrash power Intoxicated as I did about Cruz, but I’d say you’d be wrong. This band dates back to when the late Chuck Schuldiner produced their demo “Drain” and that led to their 1997 debut album “Metalneck.” The band then took a long break when vocalist/guitarist Erik Payne joined Andrew WK’s band (along with Obituary drummer Donald Tardy), then returned with 2022’s “Watch You Burn,” a destructive, blood-gushing destroyer that ripped this band back into people’s minds. Now they respond with “The Dome,” a 10-track crusher that blasts by in just under 30 minutes. Along with guitarist John Sutton, bassist/vocalist Shawn Clarson, and drummer Colin Vaccaro, this revamped lineup ravages, injecting energy, power, and grisly fury into an album that should further solidify their standing.
“Carved in Stone” tears open, completely ravaging in no time, the vocals muscling their way through the chaos. The leads heat up before the pace turns beastly, beating you into the ground. “Sever the Strings” has riffs twisting and the yells wrenching, battling through with a rowdy tempo. Riffs swelter before the soloing takes off, bubbling and sticking to skin. The title track is punchy and sweltering, gruff growls leaving bruising as the guitars blaze and then visit the stars. The pace shifts and the leads slice, smashing with relentless power. “War Club” has strong riffs engulfing, a punishing pace dislodging rocks, the vocals crushing wills to survive. The playing then decimates, turning every element up to its highest level, aiming to take off your head. “Tighten Your Eyes” is grimy and doomy, the vocals snarling as the guitars swing, the tempo slowing but still killing. The direction toys with your mind and drives harder to the edge, the guitars stretching before melting.
“Unescaped” tramples, the thrashiness pressing harder, the vocals snarling as everything trails into the muck. The drums ignite as balmy leads extend their arms, a crunchy path breaking through the center, ending in lava pools. “It’s Dead” churns, throwing haymakers, the guitars bubbling before turning hazy. “Everything you know will be dead,” Payne wails as the heat smears sweat, the final moments absolutely unloading. “Shifted Cross” is fast as hell, riffs angling, the vocals sounding even more acidic. The ground quakes as the soloing comes to life, jarring with shock before ending abruptly. “Rake the Grate” is speedy and urgent, the guitars dashing around corners, spitting dangerous pockets of lightning. Melodies erupt as the energy ripples, driving you chest first into the ground. Closer “Drowning the Weak” is tornadic and mashing, giving a little bit of hardcore muscle. “Burn it down! To the ground!” is gang shouted, the playing pulverizes, exploding with manic storming that drives the final nails.
With nearly four decades under their belts, Intoxicated still bring it and prove that over and over on “The Dome.” Their death-infested thrash still feels like an iron fist to your chest, and the band delivers a fun record that still manages to release a wealth of frustrations. This is a monster that barely asks 30 minutes of your time and brings an assault that you’ll still be feeling days later.
For more on the band, go here: https://intoxicatedfl.com/
To buy the album (U.S.), go here: https://tornfromthegrave.us/collections/redefining-darkness-records
Or here (Europe): https://tornfromthegrave.com/collections/redefining-darkness-records
For more on the label, go here: https://www.redefiningdarkness.com/
Meat Mead Metal 