Chewing Pine

dälek – Deadverse Massive Vol. 1 (Hydra Head, 2007)

(This originally appeared in the Summer ‘07 issue of Skyscraper)

The February release of Abandoned Language has been quickly followed by the odds and sods collection that is Deadverse Massive. Interestingly enough both releases have been distributed by labels that mostly specialize in devious strains of rock. Unfortunately, even with the exposure to a wider and different audience Dälek hasn’t seemed to find the acceptance that other underground rap acts have found. Regardless of their fortune, this collection spans a 7 year period and includes a few remixes created just for this release. The lead off “Megaton” has been placed at the head because it exemplifies the groups sound, but apparently prefigures any major release. Sadly enough, between that first track and the following instrumental “Angst” with its slightly less abrasive sound and bigger groove seem to be the highlights. Obviously, with the lyrical ability of dälek there are noteworthy tracks and lines like “speak the truth in question/jagged tongue is weapon” from “Desolate Peoples”. A female vocalist appears on a couple of remixes. Without any notation as to who she is, one can only ponder her identity as well as why the group decided to include such an exploration. This all contributes to the catalogue that dälek and Oktopus have been building for a decade, but only points to where they were going as opposed to exhibiting their previous glory.