deathrashed: Devastation - Signs of Life (1989)

Information

Artist – Devastation

Album – Signs of Life

Label – Combat Records

Released – October 2nd, 1989

Type – Full-length

Additional

Notes

Devastation’s second full-length, Signs of Life, followed the band’s 1987 debut and marked a major leap in speed, aggression and songwriting. Released by Combat Records on October 2, 1989, it captures the Corpus Christi quintet at the boundary between late-’80s thrash and emerging death metal. The nine-song set is driven by rapid, tightly packed riff changes, abrasive twin-guitar attacks and relentless drumming, with Rodney Dunsmore’s clipped, hardcore-tinged shouts riding above the violence. “Tomorrow We Die” later appeared on the 1990 Speed Kills 5 compilation.

Recorded in November 1988 at Goodnight Studios in Dallas, Kerry Crafton handled production and engineering while the band co-produced; mastering was completed at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs in New York. The raw but forceful sound keeps the rhythm guitars and thick bass prominent, while the drums and leads intensify the record’s breathless attack. “Fear of the Unknown” provides a comparatively expansive, slower-moving contrast, and “Retribution” and the title track interrupt the speed with heavier, more deliberate passages. Tommy Pons supplied the artwork, with photography by Gus Vasquez. The lyrics focus on death, life and anti-Satanic themes rather than conventional occult imagery.

Videos

DEVASTATION Signs of Life "Desolation" Live FT.WORTH,TX proshot (Live Performance)
DEVASTATION Signs of Life "Tomorrow We Die" live (Live Performance)
DEVASTATION - Eye for an eye - Live At Arena Lopez Mateos. Tlalnepantla. Mexico 1988 (Live Performance)
Devastation - Live At Unknown Avenue,Cleveland,Ohio,usa,19/06/1989 (Live Performance)
Devastation - Live At Gordon Tech,Chicago,Illinois,usa, 21/08 1987 (Live Performance)

Trivia

- This album is dedicated to the memory of Rico Velasquez.
- Tracks "Desolation" & "Manic Depressive" combined into one track on the disc, but are listed separately on the rear insert.

Recording

- Recorded November 1988 at Goodnight Studios, Dallas, Texas.
- Mastered at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs, New York, NY.
- Co-produced by Devastation.

Recorded At: Goodnight Dallas

Recorded in November 1988 at Goodnight Studios, Dallas, Texas. Produced and engineered by Kerry Crafton and co-produced by Devastation. Mastered at Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs, New York, New York.

Tracklist

1. Eye For An Eye – 3:33 >

Afflicted pain reveals in life no inner will to live
Descending war becomes of us destruction tends to drift
Society manipulates deformity resides
Evaluate the world in the time an inner choice decides

I see the end and know there's no escape
Close my eyes meet death accept my fate
Intimidation closes in not asking why
Not it's an eye for an eye

Prescribed yet to delinquish
No true alternative
Seek powers from the unknown
Eternity decides again

Vindication of my mind
Hidden thoughts are weak but still prevail
Alienation passes now
Eternal beings cast from the suffering

Solos: Elizondo
Burk
Elizondo
Burk
Elizondo
Burk

As I live exist in fear in my mind preserve
Thoughts of death once reborn a sentence yet unserved

I see the end and know there's no escape
Close my eyes meet death accept my fate
Intimidation closes in not asking why
Not it's an eye for an eye

Chaotic norm cease to exist prestige is now futile
Unwilling reform incapable seclusion brings the end
Reflecting time as now has seen repeating the process
Second sequence falls too short an inner choice decides

I see the end and know there's no escape
Close my eyes meet death accept my fate
Intimidation closes in not asking why
Not it's an eye for an eye

2. Desolation – 3:31 >

Living alone yet unafraid to die
A prisoner of time I not know why
Seeking life through death a deserving cause
Away from all immortal solitude

Afraid to live nothing to give
Total isolation take my soul
Seeking death final breath
Termination lose control
Twisted mind violent crime
Now I'm doomed before my time
Life betrayal as I fail
Set me free from this eternal hell

You live, I die
Innocent submission is the reason why
My life, my fate
Stricken by the power left to subjugate
I pray for infinity
For the end of time that's all that will set me free
Last chance, final chance
Fallen victim to the future by the past

Solo: Burk

------------------------------------------------------

Psychotic depression unseen terror stricken state of mind
Illusion brings confusion
Acceptance of eternity you'll never find
Mortality, fatality, uncontrollable inner anguish denied
Aggression becomes oppression insanity rules in this game life

Manic depressive life's a pain much worse than death
Life's different through your eyes you don't see like al the rest
Out of focus concepts distorted views of reality
Living to die manic depressive

When nightmare becomes reality death takes its hold on you
Escaping forever is there another life or death to choose
Eternal acceptance of mind and soul ii just can't see
The final disaster when will it end when will I be free

Manic depressive life's a pain much worse than death
Life's different through your eyes you don't see like al the rest
Out of focus concepts distorted views of reality
Living to die manic depressive

Solos: Elizondo
Burk

Psychotic depression unseen terror stricken state of mind
Illusion brings confusion
Acceptance of eternity you'll never find
Mortality, fatality, uncontrollable inner anguish denied
Aggression becomes oppression insanity rules in this game life

Manic depressive life's a pain much worse than death
Life's different through your eyes you don't see like al the rest
Out of focus concepts distorted views of reality
Living to die manic depressive

Agony brings misery
You see the light but you can't get free
You realize you're the chosen one
Manic depressive now your time has come

3. Manic Depressive – 2:43 >

Darkness fills your mind with thoughts of life's immortal plea
Sacrament as it once was escape finality
Speculate the inner self consequent with much dismay
Freewill itself now prevails as life as life's blood slips away

Signs of life grow stronger as the end is drawing near
Release my inner anguish now beyond the realm of fear
Afterlife expectant held to be true to my belief
Domination forbids me to retrieve

The prophecies have been fulfilled as you've been here before
Internal fate lies listless now death is the only open door
Dormant stage of lifeless ways held congruent to its plight
Ways of old now foretold hidden deep behind the light
Hidden truth unseen by those of everlasting faith
Born you're dead as you live a second price to pay
Time the only vital sign did it resolve through me
Insanity my prophecy what do I need to be free

Signs of life grow stronger as the end is drawing near
Release my inner anguish now beyond the realm of fear
Afterlife expectant held to be true to my belief
Domination forbids me to retrieve

Solos: Elizondo
Burk
Elizondo
Burk

Reality destiny take my life but give to me
Inner strength to sanctify show me signs of life

Living lives of contradiction held to reality by addiction
Bloodstained visions of a future time where life is death
I've crossed the line
Coincidental my life to pass carved in stone to make it last
Release the signs show the way the message carried to another day

Signs of life grow stronger as the end is drawing near
Release my inner anguish now beyond the realm of fear
Afterlife expectant held to be true to my belief
Domination forbids me to retrieve

4. Signs of Life – 4:12 >

Victimless circumstance condemned by prejudice
Self-appointed jury concedes no innocence
Suffer of hate plots his vindictive ways
Death becomes imminent, life no longer is a game

Execution, endlessly
Choice of death, what will it be
The fatal conflict beckons thee
Retribution, set me free

Swift, rabid punishment for those cause the pain
Vehement death vendetta from a man labeled insane
Slicing away his agony, his agony, morbid judgement has been passed
Ravager of solace smiles - the anguish now released

Determination fury spreading death through the reign
Fallen remnants from a mind described as cynical through pain
Life's value extracted by an unrestricting grief
Inevitable fear unheard destroying silent screams

Retribution, set me free
Victim lies in dormancy
The fatal conflict has been fought
Endless struggle, death is sought

Solo: Elizondo

Justice is served in his mind but not in others
The law of degradation that cast their shadows seem despondent
Victim becomes victim in a system ran by lies
Pondering what he has done as they tape electrodes to his eyes
Insanity the final plea escape the tortured path
Remorse is inconceivable, accept the chosen path
Blind by hatred driven by a revengeful eye
No peas, regrets, or penance seen, the time has to come to die

Choice of death, what will it be
Flick the witch to be free
No regrets, no final pleas
Retribution, killing me

5. Retribution – 4:01 >

A time will come, all eyes shall see
The coming of foretold prophecies
To eliminate all future pain
Horror is the price you pay
Realistic terror through the days
Evil minds bring evil ways
War after war of man and beast
Darkness prevails
As death's unleashed

Tribulation, cast in fire
Enter the ritual, of life's desire
Revelation laid to rest
Accept the wisdom, unholy test
Wear the mark, evil sign
Symbol of a darkened mind
Suicide or salvation
Blackened heart brings deception

Confusion - Am I living or dying
Searching - For my fate left beyond
Survivor of a hell on earth
Descending, I'm waiting to burn

Judgement's been passed
This day is the last
Fire from the heavens
The ultimate task
The beast shall rise out of the sea
Bringing forth words of blasphemy
Separation of powers
Of both by the law
Foretold by prophets in visions they saw
Out of the earth the second shall rise
Unsightly miracle
Death shines in his eyes

Tomorrow we die
Feel the fire burn deep inside
No escape - no reprise
Tomorrow we die

Solos: Elizondo
Burk

Hypocrisy, the chosen few
Words of wisdom coming true
Abomination, once left to die
Millennium twice passed by
Supremacy, the final wrath
Clear the bloodstains from the past
Countless bodies, piles of dead
Mystery now looms ahead

A time will come, all eyes shall see
The coming of foretold prophecies
To eliminate all future pain
Horror is the price you pay
Realistic terror through the days
Evil minds bring evil ways
War after war of man and beast
Darkness prevails
As death's unleashed

Tomorrow we die
Feel the fire burn deep inside
No escape - no reprise
Tomorrow we die

6. Tomorrow We Die – 4:59 >

Raining fire holocaust, searing death all is lost
Torn and tattered decayed matter, final blow blood will flow
Techno-violence submissive will, push the button overkill
Prevalent hatred fornicated, accepting death denying life

Sacrificial - terms of dying
Terminating - wars reciding
Apocalyptic - genocide
Asphyxiated - mortal plight

Contamination seeds the ground
Death and mortis depriving life
Immolation of the masses
Blinded eyes asking why

Solo: Elizondo

Poison air ripping lungs, shattered bones infected blood
Blistered skin tears away, shells of life cast aside
Carnage wretch, horrid stench, your coffin is where you stand
Victims of atrocity, remnants of humanity

Sacrificial - terms of dying
Terminating - wars reciding
Apocalyptic - genocide
Asphyxiated - mortal plight

Contamination seeds the ground
Death and mortis depriving life
Immolation of the masses
Blinded eyes asking why

Contaminated now as my body starts to burn
Feel no pain as I escape reality
Now watch me die as I try to escape the fatal dose
The will to live merely now just a killing joke

Raining fire holocaust, searing death all is lost
Torn and tattered decayed matter, final blow blood will flow
Techno-violence submissive will, push the button overkill
Prevalent hatred fornicated, accepting death denying life

Sacrificial - terms of dying
Terminating - wars reciding
Apocalyptic - genocide
Asphyxiated - mortal plight

Contamination seeds the ground
Death and mortis depriving life
Immolation of the masses
Blinded eyes asking why

Solo: Burk

7. Contaminated – 2:28 >

A dark creation of my dreams
Beneath the surface the evil brings
Unforseen thoughts of what will be
Life or death or eternity
Paranoia is no answer
The truth can't hide behind the question
What's to come and what's to be
My afterlife what's in store for me

Time stands still as it's slipping away
Unanswered questions make me wonder the way
Living in fear a predetermined destiny
The meaning of life is my own reality

Reincarnation, I just can't see
Coming back as another being
God is there is he for me

A savior for my life to be
Nothingness the worst fear of all
Where dead is dead and I can't be saved
Destined to lay decaying away
Inside I'm still living day after day

Cast into nonexistence hear my cries
Fear of the unknown what is life what I am
Wings of tribulation pull the life from my eyes
Now I'm gone nothing but an afterthought

My fate is only what's in store for me
The blood of innocence shall set me free
Reborn as my soul will grow I must die
Dreams foretold my fate now I visualize
Sacraments of written lore
Interpret meanings of life before
Feel the pain experience the question
Are we dead or in suspension

Time stands still as it's slipping away
Unanswered questions make me wonder the way
Living in fear a predetermined destiny
The meaning of life is my own reality

Cast into nonexistence hear my cries
Fear of the unknown what is life what I am
Wings of tribulation pull the life from my eyes
Now I'm gone nothing but an afterthought

Subjugate
Life's restraint
No escape
Drawing nearer to the end
Lives in sin
Death begins
Soul descends
Eternally my life is lost

The sands of time are running low
Each step draws closer to the end
Where does time begin and where does it end
My only instinct once was survive
I've lost the will and the struggle inside
Breakdown the barrier of this life that surround me
Destroying life and all it's worth
The end is here I await my rebirth

A dark creation of my dreams
Beneath the surface the evil brings
Unforseen thoughts of what will be
Life or death or eternity
Paranoia is no answer
The truth can't hide behind the question
What's to come and what's to be
My afterlife what's in store for me

Time stands still as it's slipping away
Unanswered questions make me wonder the way
Living in fear a predetermined destiny
The meaning of life is my own reality

Cast into nonexistence hear my cries
Fear of the unknown what is life what I am
Wings of tribulation pull the life from my eyes
Now I'm gone nothing but an afterthought

Infiltrate
Terms of hate
Sealed by fate
Meant to suffer or set free
Eternity
Dependency
Calling me
I can't stand what I can't see

8. Fear of the Unknown – 6:01 >

Mutilation death's construction
Another world left behind
Seek the way to no answers
Immortal beings left to die

Escape to violence
Out of control
Carnage of reason
Destined to death

Decimate holy terror
Manipulate archaic soul
Eulogistic of life's anguish
Malevolent hatred blood will burn
Parasitic mutant victim
Rotting thoughts decayed response
Social outcast malicious virus
Random murder armed

Escape to violence
Out of control
Carnage of reason
Destined to death

Solo: Elizondo

Rancid martyr pillaged horror
Abdicate morbid fate
Malignant cancer necromancer
The sovereign one is he dead
Endotrophic cells implode
Corpse of being rabid flesh
Sublimated virtues lie decayed
The fatal seed has been spawned

Escape to violence
Out of control
Carnage of reason
Destined to death

9. Escape to Violence – 2:32

Total length: 34:00