Record brings mind-dazzling insanity

Maryland natives YATRA are known for their death metal music, and last month the band released Born Into Chaos. The album features Dana Helmuth’s powerful vocals and wild guitar playing, Maria Geisbert’s soul-shaking bass guitar notes, and Sean Lafferty’s thunderous drum playing. YATRA knows how to make top-notch death metal music.

The title track, “Born Into Chaos” gives an insight into how talented Lafferty is as a drummer. Right off the bat, the sound of fast-paced heavy drum beats welcomes listeners to the band’s chaotic world. Lafferty stays on beat with the rest of the band as the rushing tempo thunders throughout, keeping up with the rapid pace. “Born Into Chaos” is a killer piece that has Lafferty drumming his heart out.

“Terminate by the Sword” features a righteous vocal performance by Helmuth. On the track, the feeling of unstoppable doom can be felt as Helmuth uses his raspy voice to sing out the lyrics, singing with a sheer strong emotion of anger throughout. “Terminate by the Sword” shows how dynamic Helmuth is as a vocalist.

The album headbanger “Terrorizer” is a sizzling composition filled with amazing guitar playing from Helmuth and Geisbert. While listening, mind-shaking riffs by Helmuth and Geisbert emerge from the background with great dominance. Both guitarists can blend their talents to create face-smacking death metal. Both Helmuth and Geisbert are skilled guitarists and on “Terrorizer” listeners will be able to feel the power of top-notch guitar playing.

The closing tune “Tormentation” ends things on a quieter note due to how the instrumentation and vocals are being played on a lower scale. But as a whole, the elements of death metal emanate through the band’s performance. The guitar and drum playing is on a lower musical vibe, but each riff and drum beat does produce the energy death metal needs. The vocals are singing the lyrics in a lower tone, but the lingering feeling of anger and hatred can be felt as Helmuth speaks and shrieks out the lyrics. “Tormentation” is a killer track that has bold instrumentation and vocals.

YATRA has a hit with Born Into The Chaos, proving that death metal can still thrive in the world of music.