With 2003's "Into The Lungs Of Hell," Holland's God Dethroned took a substantially large leap towards melodic death metal territory. Then, they followed this up with arguably their best album, 2005's "Lair Of The White Worm," which was an even further departure from their roots in blackened death metal. And now, with the release of their eighth full-length, 2006's "The Toxic Touch," the Dutch quintet's transformation is almost officially complete.

It would be a stretch to call "The Toxic Touch" experimental or groundbreaking, but it is a little different than past God Dethroned releases. Firstly, as hinted above, there is almost no black metal influence here (aside from frontman Henri Sattler's ever-present intelligible, mid-range growling/snarling/ shrieking vocals, which evoke classic Enslaved and Amon Amarth.) Next, drummer Arien Van Weesenbeek has all but eliminated his use of blast beats this time around, so, the album features a wealth of awesome grooves. That's not to say that it isn't plenty heavy though, because this is still quite a brutal and abrasive little bugger. Plus, the tempos are quite a bit faster here than they were on "Lair Of The White Worm," so this is some of the tightest and most blistering music the band has recorded to date!

The album's sequencing is also of note, because it flows seamlessly from beginning to end. Even mid-tempo tracks (like the almost doomy "The Day You Died"), and atmospheric numbers (i.e. the nice, keyboard-accented "Typhoid Mary") fit perfectly and don't dilute the album's overall intensity. Plus, no matter how fast the tempos get, God Dethroned never forget to include irresistable hooks and usually memorable choruses. As a result, several of the songs on "The Toxic Touch" are among the catchiest and most infectious you will ever hear in death metal.

The album begins with an ominous intro track called "Faithless" before launching into "Hating Life," which is a full-fledged attack backed by crunching, churning riffs, a catchy, pounding rhythm, shout-worthy chorus, melodic solo, and mean, double bass-driven outro. Following that, "2014" is an explosive, crushing thrasher with two mazey solos and a spine-tingling chorus; "Falling Down" is thunderous and features a catchy, shrieking chorus; and "On Wings Of Pestilence," is another fast, driving ripper with a flood of great, thrashy riffs, blistering grooves, and excellent, slamming double bass work. The record's biggest highlight is probably the instrumental seventh track, "Away From Emptiness," which consists of a spacey ambiance, well-placed choral effects and a wealth of gorgeous, slow-picked acoustic guitars. Even the unexpectedly blazing solo around a minute and a half doesn't prevent this from being a very melodic, mellow, and moody piece that breathes really well. But as soon as its over, then God Dethroned go back to business as usual: "Macabre World" returns the album to its original brisk, breakneck speed.

When considering the album's excellent musicianship, focused, inspired songwriting, and polished (though not overly so) production, "The Toxic Touch" is the sound of a band that is more-or-less firing on all cylinders, and definitely one at the musical and creative height of their fifteen-year long career. Good stuff, indeed; be sure to check it out.

I might be biased because I've hear very little of God Dethroned, but "The Toxic Touch" was dissapointing. The CD has some excellent riffs, the drumming is complex, and the guitar solos are energetic and melodic. However, the lyrics and vocals are VERY mediocre. He seems to be whining half the time about how he hates everything and wants to die, and his vocal range is minimul on this CD. If you're a melodic death fan, listen before you buy it.

Nothing original comes through on this album. It's basically every other European melodic death metal album done half as well while beig far too serious about itself. Lyrically the album is a joke. The singer wants to sound like a tough guy yet the entire time I can't help but think that he often goes crying home to his mother. Just awful writing. It's just as well, his vocal styling isn't nearly as brutal as most. It's too weak.

Musically, as I said, nothing really special. The drumming is the highlight. I would recommend he find himself a band more suitable to his talents.

There's not much else to say. Skip this one.

Here is the thing with God Dethroned-- when they came out with "Into the Lungs Of Hell" I was so blown away with it that I told everyone that that was THE metal CD to own...and then when they released "The Lair of the White Worm" they outdid themselves and it became THE next CD everyone needed to own. Now they did it again with the " The Toxic Touch". Trust me, this is THE CD you need to own! Actually, all three CD's are MUST haves and if you own all three about 90% of your music collection is now obsolete. Henri is THE voice of metal, the drums are the best on anything I have heard- guitars, bass-- you name it--it can't be beat. The mix on the Toxic Touch CD is heart pounding and the only fault I can find on it is that I want more of it--it ends with me wanting it to keep going on...I can't believe God Dethroned isn't the biggest metal band going but with the way they are heading here with each CD it won't be long now.....All three CDs are different but necessary and your collection is totally lost without them. The most addictive band there is!

the blast beats may be limited, but God Dethroned still knows how to tear it up with or without them. pardon me for saying this, but they seemed to pick up some melody since their last album "Lair of the White Worm". God Dethroned has proved to the death metal community that it can make do with less blast beats and more melody, and still kick some serious butt!