### The Cleansing: Poisoned legacy

#### 10/11/09 || Euthanatos

You know what strikes me as odd? The Master Cleanse. What the hell is the point of that thing? Some people do it to lose weight, like famous artists and stuff. But eventually you’re going to fill up to the brim in chocolate and doughnuts and shit, and gain it all back, aren’t ya? Then, there are people that do it to “detox”. Detox fucking what? It’s not like you’re going to overcome a serious addiction through fucking maple syrup. And if we’re not talking about heavy drugs, but junk food and shit, why the hell are you eating it in the first place if you feel it’s so bad for you? Does any of that make any god damn sense? Why are people so fucking demented these days? It boggles the mind.

I wonder if Danish death dealers The Cleansing were inspired by the Master Cleanse. I certainly hope not. At least they don’t look like hippie faggots. So that’s a start.

Anyway, these Danes.. Danes is a funny term, isn’t it? Sounds like dames. I’m not calling these guys dames, or gay, incidentally, just pointing out a fact. What goes on in Denmark anyway? We hear a lot about Sweden, Norway, even crazy-ass Finland, but no one ever talks about Denmark. PEOPLE FROM DENMARK, MAKE YOURSELVES HEARD.

The Cleansing are certainly making themselves heard. Good band, this one, solid, solid death metal, with some crotch-scratching vocals (that’s a good thing), a beefy production, a wall of heavy guitars and elite drumming.

My favorite things about the album are the vocals, which are incredibly strong, and the singer (or producer) doesn’t ever resort to layers much. Occasionally, yes, but just the right amount, which means the vocalist really is good. It’s a deep growl, but not I’m-yelling-from-inside-a-sewer growl, nothing Corpsegrinder-like. I also really like the guitar-solos. I rarely pay attention to those, because usually it’s just a wank-fest, and, particularly in death metal, seems to be there just because it’s mandatory. I don’t know if Mr. Hasseriis or Mr. Lynge does the solos, maybe both, but whoever is responsible, technique, taste and creativity are there. The riffs also are enriched by the professional guitar-playing.

The only if in “Poisoned Legacy” is it’s lack of range in song-writing. It’s hard to differentiate the 10 tracks on this album, they sound much alike. It all follows a pretty traditional death metal formula, something I really like, but it can be tiring after a while. A little boldness would do well, fellas.

Naturally, as this is only the band’s debut, I can’t really blame them for still finding their sound. But all the right tools are there for The Cleansing to rise to death metal stardom. Something I noticed while researching the band is that each member is also in a gazillion other bands. No. NO. Settle the fuck down, focus your creativity on The Cleansing and your next release will be fucking killer. Listen to me, I know what I am talking about. No, you don’t have to pay me. I’m generous with my wisdom like that.

The cover: Burnt skeletons? A Tool-video still? I don’t like covers I can’t figure out. They scare me.

- Information
- Released: 2009
- Label: Deepsend
- Website: www.thecleansing.net
- Band
- Toke Eld: vocals
- Jeppe Hasseriis: guitars
- Andreas Lynge: guitars
- Martin Rosendahl: bass, backing vocals
- Morten Løwe: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Architectural Infinity
- 02. Flesh Recycled
- 03. Ghost Lights
- 04. Insects In The Void
- 05. Harnessed By The Shadows
- 06. The Prodigal Son
- 07. Deliverance
- 08. The Domino Of Phantom Effects
- 09. Derelict
- 10. Awoken At Gunpoint