CD Review by Tim Campbell • Music by Dread Engine “Guillotine” • Photo by Brian Kuhn
On April 8, 2017, Columbus, Ohio’s DREAD ENGINE released “Deception by Design”. It is the follow-up to the band’s 2015
debut. It has been a whirlwind two years since Dread Engine first introduced itself to the Midwest metal scene. A solidified
lineup and several high profile Ohio shows culminated in a brief stint touring with Ohio (by way of West Virginia) underground
metal darlings, BOBAFLEX, in the winter of 2016. Following the success of this trip, the band rode that momentum straight
into the studio. Recorded by vocalist/digital engineer RICK KEARCHER and clocking in at just under 45 minutes, the end
result is a 10 song metal explosion that fans can’t get enough of.
Right out of the gate, the first thing that strikes me about the music on this record is the methodical and virtuosic work of
guitarists JAKE SPEARS and TOMMY SARTIN. Whether laying down palm muted break down grooves or shredding solos, these
two combine their talents to shape the songs and then give the otherwise aggressive sound an earworm catchiness. The chord
voicings employed by Sartin and Spears fill out the soundscape in ways typically reserved for bands that want to be more
challenging than popular. This observation might be a bit nerdy, but Sartin also proves once and for all that metal can sound
badass when played through a Fender Telecaster. For that, I thank him!
This melodic chaos is reined in by the band’s stellar rhythm section--drummer JAY COUGHLIN and bassist JOHN COLLINS.
Coughlin’s brand of drumming is thunderous and meticulous. The pocket he creates allows these songs to flow from various