### Total Devastation: Roadmap of pain

#### 03/06/08 || Kampfar

I was about to start this review by wishing A.I.D.S upon you all for not being familiar with this lot, but a sudden rush of insecurity made me hold back. Perhaps I am the idiot for once, perhaps this is a fairly well known band, respected and already acknowledge by the metal community?

Just kidding, now gorge on this special blood pudding of mine.

Total Devastation is not, as my intro might lead you to believe, the second coming of metal. But they are a very good death metal band, one who has been pushing it for 10 years already, cramming out 5 demos and 4 full-lengths while at it. They started out as a three-piece, got reduced to a duo, but since their very first so-called professional release, which I’m soon about to dissect, they have had a steady line-up. And also a bit peculiar one. See, two are identical twins and three others are “ordinary” brothers, leaving only the vocalist without any relatives. So, The Anti-Kelly Family this.

Enough already, about time I do “Roadmap of pain”.

If you hate the idea of mostly mid-tempo death metal with balls aplenty and a fair slice of electronica, sometimes subtle other times not, you are indeed an Ebola worthy snot. Quit reading, now. You others are welcomed to learn that the vocals are quite ace, the main one meaty and performed with brains, enhancing the already fine riffs, of which there are many. Nothing wrong with the screams and shit either.

I said mostly mid-tempo, and mostly means here are slow and fast bits, too. Most so of the former, but “Fragments” and “Fleshing” shows a band able, if not expertly and utterly intense so, to at least grind on with energy and conviction. I approve. What I approve even more of, is when they get heavy and slow, “Production peak” and “Let it bleed” both perfect examples of what I’m on about.

I must admit the guitars at times sound a bit slick and polished, but it is in accordance with the music, and here is punch, so I’m not complaining. And, if you want this band in a muddier and more chaotic version, you can always dig into their later albums, as “Roadmap of pain” doubtlessly is their most disciplined and structured one. The electronic, or industrial if you want, part of their music, never more present and integral than here. No, I haven’t heard any of their demos.

And, before I forget all about it, the bass is fucking audible and rumbling deliciously all the way from Paris to Dakar.

“Roadmap of pain” is not a perfect album, but I dare claim it to hold no bad songs.

8,5 out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2003
- Label: Firebox Records
- Website: www.totaldevastation.org
- Band
- Jaakko Heinonen: vocals
- Lauri Pikka: vocals, programming
- Harri Pikka: guitar
- Saku Hakuli: guitar
- Pasi Hakuli: bass
- Jarmo Pikka: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. I am god
- 02. Struggling from chokehold
- 03. Disguise
- 04. Fragments
- 05. Production peak
- 06. Left hand of the devil
- 07. Fleshing
- 08. Let it bleed
- 09. Prepare to die
- 10. Ignoring pain