DESOLUS – DWELLERS OF THE TWILIGHT VOID

Unleashing their brand of hell-charged 80's speed metal inspired mania, they’ve been actively whipping up pits over the last few years as both headliners and support act on several strong tours. On this recording, Jimmy Frost and Vivek Rangarajan remain in their respective guitar and bass duties and their dual vocal attacks. At the start of 2026 the band saw a change in dynamics with the addition of drummer Bileh Dougsiyeh, and original drummer Travis Stone moving into a secondary guitar role.

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This being the band's second album, we see and hear that they've upped the ante since their 2024 debut, as the result is a blistering and blasphemous assault inspired by the classic metal horror and cult cinema gore. Following in the crusty white hi-tops of pioneering speed and thrash masters, the Sodom, Kreator, Overkill worship is evident with the group’s sound and song structures. Combined with nuances of Dark Angel and Sadus influences shining through, their burning riffs, twisted chords and piercing leads augmented with a buzzing forward bass tones are supported by tornadoes of rolls, triplets and skanky d-beats galloping along warningly. On the vocal front we're met with an imposing array of snarls, growls, howling inflections and wails, delivered with a rapid-fire ferocity underscored with a snidey venom, satanic urgency, and remorseless consequence.  

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Opening intro The Portal, sets a stinging tone for what awaits before launching into this 36-minute cauldron incanted over the next nine unholy offerings. The title track detonates, and we’re instantly into the furious melee of intense riffage, acidic vocals, and battering rhythms. Moving onto Trespass The Threshold and The Pact (Sealed In Blood), the sorcery continues with the razorlike precision and hyperactive vigour. Visages Of Death is my standout that has all the punchy thrashcore elements, catchy breakdowns and its blackened frostings, while Primordial Evil goes further into the raging onslaught with similar darker nuances and some wild Hanneman-King inspired solo work. Before the album closes out, we’re treated with a viciously impressive cover of Slayer’s Show No Mercy that stays true to the original fire and fervour and without any detraction presented by the band’s soundscape. There’s no calm on this album, it’s all storm, hail, and thunder, from start to end.

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Overall, DESOLUS have produced an absolute belter of an album that honours the roots of the genre’s best matched with the vitriol and malevolency of their own diabolical intentions. Dwellers Of The Twilight Void is a menacing exposition of raging speed and unhinged power that warrants its place on the altars of madness.

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SCORE 9/10

Reviewed by glennosp