It is hard to get to the top, but it is even harder to stay there. DESERTED FEAR have never been a band content to rest on their laurels. With their sixth full-length, “Veins of Fire”, the East German death metal trio is making it abundantly clear that they have every intention and also the means to remain in the pole-position.
On “Veins of Fire”, DESERTED FEAR have again driven their songwriting, sound, and musical prowess into new territories. While remaining true to their trademarks, riffing and melodies yet also the drumming have been given an update, while vocalist Manuel “Mahne” Glatter extended his range even further.
The lyrics on “Veins of Fire” reveal DESERTED FEAR as a band very much concerned and engaged with the most relevant contemporary issues without any urge to preach or to demand conformity. The songs on this album reflect a world full of insecurity, injustice, and growing divisions. They portray human beings caught between despair and looking for new hope, while moving through dark landscapes – both metaphoric and real. They talk about lost ideals, the destruction of this planet’s natural environment but also about the unbroken spirit of defiance and the will to fight against oppression and those who aim to divide.
The rise of death metal trio DESERTED FEAR is both remarkable and thrilling. When the band was founded in the most appropriately named Thuringian city of Eisenberg (Iron Mountain), guitarist and vocalist Manuel “Mahne” Glatter, guitarist and main songwriter as well as producer Fabian Hildebrandt, and drummer Simon Mengs did probably not anticipate to end up at the forefront of the German scene.
Their debut album “My Empire”, which was produced by Swedish legend Dan Swanö, hit the death metal crowd hard in 2012. Critical acclaim and enthusiastic reactions from the fans provided an excellent starting point for DESERTED FEAR. Their beastly force, thunderous riffs, pummelling drums, and blood-curdling vocals with an uncanny knack for captivating melodies became immediately apparent. With each new album, the balance shifted steadily to the melodic side, yet the band never lost its vicious bite. “Kingdom of Worms” (2014), “Dead Shores Rising” (2017), “Drowned by Humanity” (2019), and “Doomsday” (2022) all turned out as impressive milestones of DESERTED FEAR‘s still upward moving career.
The Germans also worked hard to acquire a reputation as an excellent live act. More than 250 shows across Europe, headlining and in support of such iconic acts as OBITUARY, AT THE GATES, MORBID ANGEL, DARK TRANQUILLITY, OVERKILL, and INSOMNIUM among many others speak volumes. Meanwhile, DESERTED FEAR have also performed at all relevant metal festivals of the continent.
With “Veins of Fire”, DESERTED FEAR open a new chapter in their impressive musical career. Although the respect for their deep death metal roots remains easily audible, the levels of confidence and mastery displayed in the songwriting as well as an avalanche of hooks take “Veins of Fire” up on a new level.
Band: Deserted Fear
Title: Veins of Fire
Style: Death Metal
Release date: April 25, 2025
Label: Testimony Records
Review impact date: March 24, 2025
Line-up
Manuel “Mahne” Glatter – vocals, guitar
Fabian Hildebrandt – guitar
Simon Mengs – drums
John Gahlert – bass (live)
