Review by Alex on November 16, 2021.

I will not even dare try to delve into the lyrical concept of Shout Demise by Italy's medicated UNCTORIS. Whatever it is they speak of on their debut full length, one would prefer to not understand as such may be his own mental undoing. And though musically, what is played is identifiable, albeit black/death/doom, but when tossed into the same cauldron and stirred, the face of the creature we know takes on a new, mysterious appearance. Avant-garde, experimental, call it what you may, Shout Demise is unsettling, unorthodox, upsetting yet strangely beautiful.

These entries break conventional motions and process to dabble in occult ideals and philosophies. The music (if that's what you'd prefer to reference it as) is terrifying, uncertainty rides every riff, every blast of the drum kit and shout, you go from just listening to having fear toy with you. Adrenaline filled movements jump out from nowhere, whilst poignant yet equally creepy sections raise their submerged heads slowly from the rampant rage. 'Violet Velvet' does this to remarkable effect, creating an intense atmosphere with ominous echoing sounds, acoustic auras, and unsettling voices; then from moments of sheer fright and obscurity, tumbling down upon you is a torrent of noise, technical, abrasive and chaotic objects.

Absolutely amazing what they are able to do on 'Non Tornare', fuse a tender bluesy noire jazz saxophone solo with black/death metal riffing breathing underneath the bouquet of bountiful beatitude. This ladies and gentlemen is for me one of the best unorthodox metal compositions I have heard this year, standing parallel to a track on Stargazer's Psychic Secretions (let the inquisitive seek out the song). And even more trouble comes knocking at your gates with 'Rites Of Grey isolation' and 'Is An Archaic Chamber'. Better experienced than explained, hence I bring this thing to a close in order to avoid an irreversible plummet into a mentality ever unforgiving, you should too.

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Review by Death8699 on December 1, 2018.

After about a decade of silence by the band with Schmier not in the lineup, Destruction's main vocalist/bass guitarist is back! This was of course taking place in 2000. Destruction just wasn't the same without him. His unique vocals meshed so well with the Destruction of the old. Good to have him return, especially with this 2000 release declaring war when it comes to thrash metal, Destruction's divine genre.

The album opens with a clean guitar by Mike, then bam, the riffs that we once knew that he created are back in full force. Catchy, not boring, original, not copying anyone, and crunch tone that was more so effective as in the past. The whole album is like that. Crunch tone guitar and killer vocals by Schmier define Destruction as a whole. Mike still needs to brush up on his leads though. That was the only real bad thing to say about the album. I still think that this band was better as a quartet with Harry in the band. His leads were very advanced and wicked. It especially showed in "Live Without Sense". But Mike's leads have improved somewhat, though I think that it should mainly be rhythm guitar with not so many leads on the album. I was glad that he didn't go overboard on this album. The rhythms just dominated, really great to have this band back with some awesome thrash!

Energy stricken music with songs just dishing out pure unique thrash metal. I absolutely loved the mixing and production. Everything was all just right. The bass, vocals, guitar, and drums. A superb job in that department. Nothing left out at all. This is an album that you can listen to over and over without getting sick of it. The butcher definitely stuck back with a vengeance!

Overall, this is one hell of a comeback album. If you're a fan of thrash metal and haven't heard this one yet, check out "Machinery of Lies". If you think I'm full of it, then just listen and you will hear pure original thrash metal that is totally awesome. Good cover of Metallica's "Whiplash" as well. Great to have this band back in full force!

Rating: 9.5 out of 10