UP and coming Belfast heavy metal crew Donum Dei will launch their blistering début album, Contribute to Chaos, at the Belfast Empire on March 1.
The four-piece exponents of thrash metal have been earning their stripes on stages across Northern Ireland, including a support slot with Onslaught.
The launch will see Donum Dei supported by Death of a Salesman, Ketos and Dream Awake.
As début albums go Contribute to Chaos is an impressive selection of nine songs, including the crowd favourite ‘Justice Fails’.
From the delicate opening of ‘False Hope’ this is a full-on metal album, imbued with the spirit of the best of thrash and contemporary metal sounds.
But, unlike many they nod to their influenced rather than follow them slavishly.
In fact singer Thomas Marshall sounds angry with the world as a he rages and roars throughout each and every song. But, it is the complete attitude of the band that matches the mood of the album.
There is an intensity across all elements of ‘Contribute to Chaos’ that can leave one slack-jawed in admiration for a band so young.
‘Courage From Within’ is a standout track- defiant and with a single finger up to wasters and those not prepared to stand up for themselves.
What makes it a great album is the cohesiveness of the guitar work between Stuart McLoughlin’s lead work and Thomas’ aggressive riffing.
This is exemplified on ‘Torture (Makes Them Speak) for which they drafted in Pete Crenshaw of Ketos and By Conquest Or Consent. It us a track that delivers a boot to your bake.
Across the album Donum Dei are a band ready to take on all comers and ready to take on all comers. What the young band have is the patience to develop at their own pace, with a clear plan for progression.
‘Contribute to Chaos’ is a statement; a moment in time for a Donum Dei to look back on as they rise to the next level.