Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Devastation - Idolatry (1991)

The hellish artwork to Devastation's final album is a perfect representation of the raging death/thrash that lies beneath.  This is ugly thrash metal that fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down before climbing back up and throwing itself back down again.  Primitive and at times downright bestial this album was a fine way for the Texans to sign off with.

Having been formed in 1986 the band picked probably one of the most popular band names that they could (don't confuse these guys with the other Texan's of the same name who sat on the more groovy side of things).  Eventually winding up on Combat Records after a debut full length, the band had started to carve out a niche for themselves over the course of what turned out to be only five years of existence.  Imagine the middle ground between the aggression of Demolition Hammer and the darkness of Dark Angel and you're on the right track to understand the sound of Devastation.  The pace hits frantic on more than one occasion but always seems to be tempered well by some well written and varied song structures that keep things on a robust and yet entertaining format.  There's hints of Possessed (certainly in terms of vocal style) too and in the album's more death metal moments you get a real sense of early Sadus or even the chaotic and bludgeoning DM of Master.

Guitar wise, it was clear that both Dave Burk and Henry Elizondo could play.  Both manage to taunt and menace across most tracks adding depth and atmosphere to the near constant attack.  The rest of the instrumentation does sound a little flat though with the drums coming across as being too tappy at times.  Although effective, the vocals are very one dimensional and the lyrics are very basic and feel just hashed together at times. 

If you like your thrash metal on the deathy side then you should be all over this.