Reviews › The Heavens Shall Burn ›
Splizz magazine
The Heavens Shall Burn is the first full length release by teenage Heavy Metal band Sanctorum (nee Devolution). They hail from the Colchester area and play a mightily impressive blend of metal that is well crafted and equally well executed with enthusiasm and no little imagination.
Although this CD was finally released last year, they have been gigging and writing since 2002 (from the age of 14!) and I was fortunate enough to see them play a jaw-droppingly accomplished set back in January 2008.
Whilst the gig was in a basement venue near Islington in front of only a handful of punters and bar staff, the performance would not have been out of place as headliners at the Astoria2 or the Islington Academy by any means!
Whilst the CD cover art here is a bit poor (reminded me of roadkill), the music contained therein is an awesome display of youthful power and musical writing ability above their tender years. Their style is that of the likes of Sepultura, Chimaira, Machine Head, Testament, Carcass, In Flames and (early) Metallica.
So expect all the good things in life – pounding double bass drums with elaborate fills (but not too many), chugging basslines, buzzsaw guitar riffs, technically brilliant guitar solos and guttural, gruff vocals. With song titles such as "Lifeless Love", "Stand Alone", "Watch me Suffer" and "Desolate Soul" you should get the general idea. If you like any kind of heavy metal and / or you want to support up and coming British talent then you need to buy this album.
And the best news is…album number two is already in production. I can’t help thinking that with the right promotion and support slots, this band are gonna be huge!
(8/10)
Steve Dulson
