Decibully

If there’s a case to be made against Decibully’s recorded output, it’s that the band has relied a bit much on nebulous, layered atmospherics that mask the essence of its songs. Say goodbye to that particular criticism as you say goodbye to the band (for now, at least). In the group’s self-titled, online-only swan song, frontman William Seidel is still writing about loss, loneliness, and mortality—but he and his bandmates sound like they’re having more fun than ever before. 

Death is the dominant theme of the album, but you’d never guess it if you removed the words. Bouncy rockers like “Bang Bang,” “Ain’t Afraid Of Nothing” and “Who’s Shadow?” are grunge anthems worshipping ’70s boogie-rock—all dirty guitars and vintage organ. Not being experimental is an experiment for Decibully, and the ramshackle production on the album reveals a band that was ripe for loosening up and rocking out.

The celebratory feel of the music is undeniable, but it seems clear from Seidel’s lyrics that he knew the end was coming while he was writing them. The happy acoustic stomp of “God’s Smile” sounds at least partially like a grateful tribute to the fans: “For everyone that don’t forget / I feel humbled and I feel blessed,” Seidel sings earnestly. The interplay between the fluttering organ and lead guitar during the bridge of “Blood We Bleed” feels triumphant, but the words capture how many fans feel about the group’s sudden dissolution: “But all the blood they bleed / Damned if they weren’t good to me / I never got to say goodbye.”

Whatever the case may be, the band has thrown together an album that’s as invigorating as it is bittersweet—because of the songs themselves, as well as the fact that fans might never get to see Decibully play those songs live. The guys that made their name onstage finally made a record that captures the warts-and-all assault of their live show, and then they called it quits.