When it comes to Heavy music, it is one thing for the tone to be aggressive, but another for the aggression to have a purpose. While some acts have empty or blind rage behind their music, on the other side you are those like League of Distortion with some thought-provoking ideas swirling around them.
A relatively new band on the Heavy Metal scene, Germany’s League of Distortion took shape in 2020 when Vocalist Anna “Ace” Brunner and Guitarist Jim “Arro” Müller decided to join forces together. Brunner, one-third of the powerful female Metal group Exit Eden, and Müller, the long-standing guitarist of Kissin’ Dynamite, decided to take things in a completely different direction. Forging a razor-sharp image with League of Distortion, joined with Bassist Felix “Ax” Rehmann and Drummer Tino “Aeon” Calmbach, their sound is best described as a hybrid of Modern Metal that could fit alongside veterans such as Amaranthe, or other relatively new acts like Ad Infinitum. With this in mind, League of Distortion is far from a copycat act, because there are distinctive qualities embedded in their style that are all their own.
For starters, the band has a very impossible-to-ignore fire burning within that lets you know they are sick of the hypocrisies that plague society. A universal call to action, they beg for change in the endless divisive, destruction cycle that is humanity. Ubiquitous with their impressive 2022 self-titled debut album, you could argue it is even more so with the 2024 follow-up Galvanize.
Set for release on October 25th through Napalm Records, Galvanize is seemingly a fitting title for a collection of songs that do not mince words, nor sugarcoat feelings. In many ways, the lyrical attack of Galvanize is on par with a classic Punk Rock album that grabs hold of you with the powerful intent to raise awareness. What is that awareness? It could be different for everyone, but by and large, it feels like League of Distortion is asking that we stop being complacent, realize that apathy is the enemy, and rise to the call of our fullest potential. Again, this could mean something different to anyone who listens to these songs, but hopefully, the universal takeaway is one of self-empowerment, responsibility for your own destiny without excuses, and the concept of lighting your own internal flame.
Heavy messages to convey, fortunately, the sincere delivery behind each of the songs on Galvanize assures nothing is lost in translation. This is thanks in part to a serious undertone as heard on the album’s title-track, “My Hate Will Go On,” and “Chainsaw,” but also the quirky approach to “What’s Wrong With Her.” Pointing out the latter to show you that while Brunner is a serious vocalist with some immense power behind her singing and rougher vocals, she can still deliver something a bit weird, yet effective.
The bottom line is that League of Distortion put a tremendous level of passion and energy into the creation of Galvanize. It is heavy, and crushing, but also seductive and dynamic when it needs to be. With a lot to discover throughout ten carefully plotted songs, you should walk away from this album completely satisfied and hopefully motivated to turn a negative part of you into something positive. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Galvanize 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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