The Destiny Program – Subversive Blueprint
Nuclear Blast – NB 1875-2 – 21 September 2007
by John Norby
While
The Destiny Program can be classed a pretty standard metalcore quartet for the most part, it must be said that on
Subversive Blueprint – The 12-Point program To Self Revolution the band have added an extra flair to their work that allows them to rise above the term ‘pretty standard’. That said, there’s still something amiss in the songwriting that stops this album short of being a memorable one.
Certainly, there are some crushing riffs on here – the sort that get the hairs on the back of the neck standing to attention – but
some crushing riffs falls very short of creating a memorable album. Kudos for the breakdown riff near the end of
‘Daeva’, which is stunningly heavy, and a devastating addition to the song of the album. Likewise, sections of
‘Project Hoax’ and the speedy
‘The Appeal’ go for the jugular and leave a lasting impression by the end of the album. It’s just a shame that these sort of highlights are few and far between.
Vocally, there’s nothing exciting about
Subversive Blueprint, as we’re given the standard take on brutal metalcore vocals that’s been done by a million bands before. Johannes Formella is certainly adept at each of the styles he employs; from deathlike growls through traditional hardcore screams to ponderous cleanliness, he tackles each with clinical accuracy. It’s nothing that new but it works perfectly in the context of this genre.
While
Subversive Blueprint is a good album, masterfully laboured over by Daniel Bergstrand, Anders Friden Tue Madsen and Jacob Hansen, a hefty production does little to pull
The Destiny Project from the confines of standard metalcore hell. It will certainly appeal to fans of the genre as a whole, possibly attaining quite a high status within that scene. A bit more focus on the songwriting will undoubtedly see this band elevated to a higher level of success.
Official The Destiny Program Website
Official The Destiny Program Myspace
Official Nuclear Blast Records Website
