I reviewed France’s Creeping Fear Hategod Triumph, their second album, several years ago and commented on what a damn fine slab piece of Morbid Angel/Immolation and some Hate Eternal-inspired death metal it was.

Realm of the Impaled is the third album, and yes, the band is still going with the goofy-looking Baphomet to adorn their cover again; however, this is the band’s best album, and my god, does this thing crush.

With some departing members going on the two remaining members have absorbed the duties with the dispersal as follows: Gabriel H. on Guitars, Bass, Drums, and Clément Vocals/Guitars. After a one-minute intro really going nowhere

“Dismembered and Thrown Into Black Flames” erupts outta the starting gates with some drumming madness and a terrific guitar tone. The tune settles into a mid-paced crushing moment before the double pounding galloping gets underway. The slowdown down follows with some scorching pinch harmonics, and we are treated to a little ditty of a bass guitar solo, which then signals the faster moment following. Some of the swirling riffage is really Immolation inspired, and definitely the Morbid Angel vibe is strong on this one, Young Skywalker. There should not have been an intro; the band should have just opened with this song to start things off.

“Demonic Ascent” starts gloomy. I can imagine this moment being crafted under the guise of a thunderstorm. As the song gets faster and the discordant riffs take center stage, it becomes apparent the band has a little bit of Ulcerate under their belt, and this moment is excellent. The song gets slower and some fast moments come forth again. The guitar riffs are the standout here, folks, and the song swiftly gets into blasting territory with great throaty gruff death metal vocals. The 3.15 timestamp showcases an excellent and tight rhythm section with this faster moment, and this is not for the faint of heart, although it still maintains an air of catchiness. The crushing, slower, heavier moment returns with a nice little bass solo again as the song gets into a powerful groove, almost downbeat type of style. A slam pit would have no other choice but to cause sinkholes all day during this killer part.

Good to see the band maintain their heritage with the French titled song – “Et ils se couvrirent de gloire” translates to “And they covered themselves with Glory”. Terrifically catchy guitar riffs are all over this sucker on the slower moments, then BOOM right into the double pounding quick moments. Many of these moments call to mind moments of extreme metal from the ’80s and ’90s, with a modern edge. The guitar solo over the faster section works well, as it’s piped in louder in the mix, never over-taking the other instruments, thankfully.

“Crushed Endeavor” is a tad over 5 minutes, is the longest song here, and has more prominent bass guitar moments as those swirling discordant guitar riffs take hold of the listener and thrash us from side to side. This is a really well-played and heavy song. Killer, quick blast beats erupt out of nowhere. There are a plethora of speeds to varying degrees ofblasts, double old school pounding, and mid-paced tank-encrusted heaviness. This is the best song on this album, I feel, as it truly showcases the brutality this band conjures from the depths.

Realm of the Impaled kicks ass, and to have your third album as your best, thus far, is a testament to the band taking the time to hone their craft more and really develop their style. Sure, with the aforementioned bands, the band has their influences; however Creeping Fear plays death metal the way it was originally meant to be played. Brutal, dark, catchy, and at the crux, FUN!! What a ripper!!!

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