Melodic death metal is a sound that one tends to associate with Europe (especially the Scandinavian countries), whereas screamo (also known as melodic hardcore or post-hardcore) is a sound that one tends to associate with the United States. But it is certainly possible to combine the two, which is what
Degradead do on
A World Destroyer. This 2011 release draws on both American screamo/post-hardcore and the Scandinavian melodic death metal sound; call it melodic deathcore if you will, but whatever one calls it,
Degradead get their inspiration from both the U.S. and Scandinavia. When all is said and done, however, the American influence has the upper hand, which is interesting because
Degradead are a Swedish band. Anyone who expects
A World Destroyer to sound exactly like
In Flames,
At the Gates, or
Age of Ruin will be surprised; Swedish death metal is part of
Degradead's sound, but ultimately, the hardcore component is stronger than the death metal component. Some of the extreme vocals favor a Cookie Monster growl (which is one of death metal's trademarks), but most of the extreme vocals are screaming vocals of the hardcore/metalcore variety. And like so many bands that like to combine the extreme and the melodic,
Degradead offer plenty of clean vocals to go with the extreme vocals. Unfortunately, this album has a major flaw: it is wildly uneven. Many of the tunes are forgettable, although there are a few tracks that really jump out at the listener. "No One Prevail" is easily the best song on the album, and
Degradead fare almost as well on "Cold Blood" and "Kept in the Dark." So
A World Destroyer does have its moments. And the stronger tracks make one hope that future
Degradead albums will be more consistent. ~ Alex Henderson