Review: Desolat - Get Sick And Let Me Watch You Die

Vienna-based trio DESOLAT has been smashing around their region of Europe since forming in 2018. Many may have yet to notice the band's understated aesthetic presence, best exemplified by its bare-bones website: https://med-user.net/desolat/.

Lack of pizazz aside, they have been actively playing shows and releasing music courtesy of Bloodshed 666 Records. This Summer, they'll make their stateside debut in cooperation with noise rock haven Reptilian Records for their sophomore LP Get Sick And Let Me Watch You Die.

Featuring current and former members of Phal:Angst, Cyruss, and more, Desolat is comfortable playing through various grimy subgenres. Opener "Doomsday Clock" lurches the album into motion with a sludgy riff that only breaks its hypnotic rhythm to inject scathing vocals nearly three minutes in. The mid-tempo track is the first indicator of the cadence that permeates the eight-song record. This sounds like a virus desperate to infect the listener.

There is an impressive economy in how the band writes and performs these songs. The vocals of guitarist Alfred are never forced, even scarce, allowing for the riffs to drive the momentum throughout the album. Klaus (bass) and Mentl (drums/sampling) are in nearly perfect synchronization as the rhythm section. On "Pregnant Meth Addict With Cancer," the band moves as a unit playing a hesitant punk swing distorted through a noise rock filter. It is as upbeat as the Austrians get before rumbling back to the meditative dirge of the tracklist.

Despite the overall despair, there are emotional outbursts, including the Michael Masen saxophone feature on "Great White Northern Shitlicker." It's a shot of soul in an undeniably dreary listen. Also prominent is a feeling of nostalgia and adolescent recklessness that will deliver a dopamine hit to all Gen Xers. It's like a memory of a fast food birthday party. Ashtrays included.

Get Sick And Let Me Watch You Die is a captivating album that perfectly captures the band's unique blend of noise rock, sludge, punk, and metal. It's no surprise Reptilian Records chose to get on board to present this record and band to a broader audience. For that, we thank them.

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