If you need something to tide you over until Entrails‘ new album comes out later this fall, you have two solid options right now: Demonical‘s Death Infernal or the debut from Italy’s Undead Creep. Both will satiate fans of classic Swedish death metal, rendering damn fine examples of mid-range, buzzing, d-beat, Stockholm styled death metal.

Other than Horrid, I’m not aware of too many other Italian bands playing this style but the band’s influence is apparent about 25 seconds into opener “Immolated for Reincarnation”, where the band delivers homage to Left Hand Path’s iconic title track. From there on, you get 15 songs (10 on the album and 5 track from the bands self-titled demo as bonuses).

Other than the obvious Nihilist/Entombed influence, as far as the overall feel and quality of the album, I’m heavily reminded of Fatalist‘s The Depths of Inhumanity. All the tracks are rip roaring, semi catchy, controlled numbers and the band’s self-produced tone is absolutely killer. From the romping trot of “God’s Disdain” and “Eternal Rest”, to the raucous canter of  “Surrounded by Tombs”, “Frozen Asphyxiation”, “Survive the Aftermath” and Carnage like pace of “Eradicated Memories”,each dripping with that tangible Entombed structure and tone.

Unlike a lot of bonus/demo tracks tacked onto albums, Dark Descent and Undead Creep give you give completely different bonus songs from their 2009 demo. The production is  little rougher but still unmistakeable as Undead Creep and their obvious  Stockholm intentions and the songs are actually a little more feral.

I hate to keep swinging from one label’s nuts, but Dark Descent is becoming the go to label for awesome, old school death metal whether its the Incantation worshiping kind (Corpsessed) or Stockholm worship of Undead Creep. And the year isn’t even over yet with Entrails and Horrendous releases still looming on the horizon!

 

 

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