For all that can be accomplished within the vast expanse of metal, maintaining a sensation that makes the material feel larger than life is a key component that always keeps us coming back for more. It's something that I feel as though many people don't associate as much as they should with metal given all that it can be, but there are plenty of bands out there that recognize that and seize the opportunity to tremendous effect time and time again. Pulling from revered kaiju media, Oxygen Destroyer is absolutely one of those names with their own larger-than-life inspiration something that has offered them a growing audience for all the right reasons. They needed not prove their power after their recent incursions, yet it's here with their third album that Oxygen Destroyer sought to tackle the holy grail of kaiju media with the results to match.
While the a large portion of us may only be familiar with kaiju that has come from recent American iterations of Godzilla and King Kong with Pacific Rim absolutely still throwing its weight around, those of us in the know are well aware of the legend that is Gamera. With some of his movies considered the very peak of all kaiju films, it was only a matter of time before Oxygen Destroyer would seek to tackle the entity with their ferocious sound. Having built up their craft over the years to bring them to a place where they can really do the monster justice, "Guardian of the Universe" does all of that and more! This is not just the longest piece that Oxygen Destroyer has given us, but it is their most intense by a solid margin. Absolutely unrelenting in every single one of its nine tracks that take us through the epics and tragedies of Gamera, the craftsmanship of Oxygen Destroyer has truly never been better as they have taken a brand of black-thrash that was already nothing to underestimate and cranks it all up to a thousand. Every given aspect from the undeniable riffs to overwhelming power that sees cities topple at the mere mention of these creatures with their destruction matched immaculately by this Seattle-based worshippers. We have seen plenty of acts come around to give proper reverence to these titanic beasts, yet Oxygen Destroyer remains on top for a multitude of reasons. "Guardian of the Universe" sees their songwriting, their intensity, and their uncompromising factor of intoxication brought to the forefront in such a fashion that the madness is damn near impossible to turn off.
Excellence was already the bar for Oxygen Destroyer, and it's only fitting that some of the best kaiju films would enable some of the best material from this rising beast of a band. A ripping album that takes only the best of what the genre has always been known for with naught but mastery around every eviscerating corner that Oxygen Destroyer seeks to conquer, "Guardian of the Universe" is the album that this band has been itching to make with the results simply electrifying. By all accounts, Gamera has been given extreme justice with this ferocious creation.
"Guardian of the Universe" releases on August 9th via Redefining Darkness Records!
LISTEN to an advanced track from "Guardian of the Universe" on Bandcamp here, or via YouTube below.
LIKE Oxygen Destroyer on Facebook here.
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