August 15th, 2021 - The Polytheist Idolatry Of Latis

 

Good afternoon craft brew freaks and thrashers!  The Meista here on this smoky Sunday getting a little "religious" with a pairing of a deliciously drinkable Latis IPA (named after two Celtic deities) from Helltown Brewing Company and Devastation's iconic "Idolatry" album!  Hell yeah!  And a big thank you to my buddy Brett for the beer!  Cheers man!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Devastation
• Title: "Idolatry"
• Recorded: August through September 1990 at Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida 
• Release date: April 23rd, 1991 (3rd full-length studio album by Devastation) / October 1st, 2008 (2008 picture disc edition)
• Record company: Combat Records / Rockadrome (2008 picture disc edition)
• Production: Scott Burns and Devastation
• Album cover art: Ernest Delgado (2008 artwork); the original album artwork was done by Sean Wyett
• Personnel: Dave Burk (guitars), Rodney Dunsmore (vocals), Henry Elizondo (guitars), David Lozano (drums), and Edward Vasquez (bass) 
• Musical style: Thrash metal
• Sound: Insanely intense and tight, the sound on "Idolatry" is quintessential early '90s thrash!  The guitar work of Burk and Elizondo shreds, Vasquez lays down some heavy duty thunder, Lozano is an unstoppable rhythm juggernaut (one of the best thrash drummers out there!), and Dunsmore's vocals are wonderfully aggressive!  This is a criminally underrated album and a must have for fans of thrash metal! 
• Major themes and subjects: violence, addiction, death, life, betrayal, vengeance, rebellion, etc. 
• Tracks: 

1. "Deliver The Suffering"
2. "Freewill"
   
3. "Forsaken Hatred"
4. "Souls Of Sacrifice"
5. "Idolatry"
6. "Legacy Of Fate"
7. "Subconscious"
8. "Never Believe"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Helltown Brewing Company (Export, Pennsylvania)
• Website: https://www.helltownbrewing.com/ 
• Brew: Latis IPA 
• Style: New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA) 
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 4.8%
• IBUs: 32
• Pour: The Latis IPA pours a very hazy, bright yellow with a bright white, billowy, 2+ finger head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, tropical, grassy, and slightly grainy.  There are aromas of orange juice, tangerine, light grapefruit, lemon zest, mango, pineapple, grassy hops, light pine resin, light crackery biscuit, and a hint of honey.
• Taste: Well-balanced, the taste of the Latis IPA follows the nose with lots of fruity, juicy, sweet, and lightly grainy flavors.  There are big notes of tangerine, pineapple, and mango with more subtle flavors of lemon zest, pine, tea, cereal grain, and a hint of caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp and juicy with low bitterness and a dry, clean, and refreshing finish.

Overall pairing: The juicy, hop-forward crushability of Helltown's tasty Latis IPA is the perfect beer to slam whilst banging your head to Devastation's killer "Idolatry" album!  'Nuff said! 

Cheers!!  Hails!!