I’ve never been a huge Zyklon fan, heck I wasn’t even really a great fan of Emperor so the fanfare that has preceded each Zyklon release thus far has not really made sense to me, especially considering the pretty standard quality of both World ov Worms and Aeon.However, with Zyklon’s third album, something seems to have clicked, at least to these ears. Whether it’s Sechtdamon’s improved vocals or the final shedding of any post Emperor residue, Disintegrate appears to be the album Zyklon have been primed to make since their inception.

I’ll keep this short; Disintegrate shreds. It is a great death metal album. Not classic mind you, but certainly an album that rises above the, black tinged World ov Worms and the powerful but forgetful Aeon. Disintegrate strikes with the deadly precision of a smart bomb and leaves equal amounts of carnage. The clinical, ultra tight tones are now more memorable and sheathed in menace rather than a hospital clean, disinfected form of death metal. A few slower, yet powerful tracks such as “Ways of the World,” “Disintegrate,” “A Cold Grave” and the industrial tinged “Skinned and Endangered” break up the vitriolic assault and display Zyklon’s full committal to death metal in all its moods. However, the draw of the album is its violent, savage precision and furor; tracks like “In Hindsight,” “Subversive Faith,” “Underdog,” “Vulture” and the explosive “Vile Ritual” which is arguably the most intense track I’ve heard this year, deliver blistering, furious speed that’s refined and calculated in its sheer tenacity.

The production, the guitar tone, the vocals, the pacing and the just the overall “feel” and presence of Disintegrate is about, perfect even if its not doing anything groundbreaking. Everything is just top notch and oozes total professionalism in every facet. I will be interested to see if Samoth and Co. can top this……

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