DESTINITY

Count DESTINITY as one of a long line of French bands that don't so much reinvent their chosen style of metal - the obvious exceptions (GOJIRA, DEATHSPELL OMEGA, etc) notwithstanding — as do things a little differently or simply march to the beat their own appointed drummer. "XI Reasons to See", the band's fifth full-length albums since forming in 1996, takes a couple of spins to full recognize it, some of which is due to ideas that haven't yet been fully realized, but the atmosphere-enhanced style of modern thrash/melo-death works pretty darn well and leaves one pondering the possibilities.

Overall, "XI Reasons to See" shows DESTINITY taking a modern/melodic thrash/melo-death template and expanding it to include progressive pieces, symphonic parts, and an atmospheric approach that collectively center somewhere around the point where DARKANE, HYPOCRISY (pre melo-death return to form) and DARK TRANQUILLITY meet. The melodies are sometimes quite catchy, sometimes unique, and sometimes both (check out the chorus pattern and choppy cadence on "Your Demonic Defense"). There are several moments of a more traditional modern Euro thrash nature that hit with sizeable force, but even then often end up with expansive choruses, such as on "Silent Warfare". The use of spoken vocals at several points offers an added dimension to usually effective results, just one of a plethora of shades and accents that DESTINITY has managed, with only marginally mixed results, to cram into the busy equation. Jacob Hansen's production is well suited to the act's sound, the crispness and use of space especially notable.

There are moments on "XI Reasons to See" that may not leave a lasting impact, yet speak to an approach that still seems to be in development toward a future effort that could prove groundbreaking. Without a doubt there is a lot to like about the album. For a band that has been around as long as DESTINITY, they've not quite reached a peak. The intriguing part is what might happen when all cylinders are firing. Watch out, the possibilities are endless.