Hailing from England, Detritus released two highly acclaimed albums in the early 90's. While their first album 'Perpetual Defiance' was straight forward thrash metal, their second album 'If But For One' saw a much more polished power metal direction, yet still retained that trademark heavy sound.

PERPETUAL DEFIANCE (1990) WHITE METAL/EDGE MUSIC

Detritus were a little known thrash metal band from Bristol, England. And on this, their debut album, there is no mistake about where these guys hails from. They have this unmistakable British sound, not unlike acts like Seventh Angel and Xentrix. I absolutely love the sharp guitar tone that just oozes thrash! Marks voice is gritty and dirty, and fits well with the speedy music. But when he slows things down to sing in a cleaner voice it doesn't sound that well. I can't say that every song on this CD is as good as they could have been. But those of them that are good are also very good! It's a shame that so many bands in the Christian scene never got the acknowledgement they deserved. Detritus is but one of many Christian acts that could have gone so much farther with proper backing. 'Perpetual Defiance' sports album art by none other then Rodney Matthews, famous for album covers by Seventh Angel, Motherlode, Veni Domine, Arena and Magnum, amongst others.

Killer tracks: Subliminal Division, Playing With Fire, Taste The Blood, O.T.T. (Over The Top)

IF BUT FOR ONE (1993) R.E.X. MUSIC

Detritus returned after a 3 year hiatus on the recording front. Now signed to R.E.X. Records, it is a more mature band standing behind this sophomore release. It's still the same British sounding thrash that lay down the cornerstones for 'If But For One' as it was on 'Perpetual Defiance'. And in 1993 this style was a dying breed.

'If Bur For One' sports a better production, so the album is not as "muddy" sounding as the debut. The band is also experimenting a little more with their sound here, delivering more time changes, and adding slower, somber, acoustic parts to their otherwise galloping thrash metal. Vocally Mark switches between his rapid-fire thrash signature and a more gloomy delivery. His voice is always recognizable whatever style he is using. The experimental side is going really awry in the pirate-themed "Sailor's Farewell". This could have been a fun single B-side. But putting it as one of the middle songs on the album was a bad idea.

I spent a lot more time getting into 'If But For One' then I did with the debut. The songs aren't as in your face, and you might have to weed through the various textures and layers of the songs before you capture the essence of the album. And even though the songwriting is more varied this time around, I still find it to be just a a tad more samey then its predecessor. I prefer the full-on thrash metal songs, such as "Let Peace Begin With Me" and the title track. Thus personal taste will be the judge on whether you prefer this album to the first.

'If But For One' has become quite hard to find. But luckily for me I was given a free copy from my cousin (thanks, Karl-Axel).

Killer songs: Let Peace Begin With Me, If But For One, As It Rains

Detritus also appear on:

V/A -  'White Metal Warriors - Last Ship Home'

Related artists:

Seventh Angel