Here’s a nice little 2014, self released gem of blackened death metal from the depths of Austin, Texas spawned from a few obscure Texas veteran acts like Disfigured, Scattered Remains and Carnal Befoulment.But the group has come together to form a pretty impressive debut album that lies somewhere between Behemoth, Morbid Angel and Goatwhore ( I mean, just listen to second track “Christ Crusher”).
I’m reminded a little of local Missouri act Tyranny Enthroned, in the bands overall sound; a commanding, authoritative mix of riffs and bellows with some blackened shrieks and gritty lurches thrown in. It all comes together to make for an impressive debut that makes for a nice low profile release many of your should check out and enjoy.The production has that big burly tone, though I wish the drums had a little more oomph to complement James VanDenBerg’s bellows.
The no nonsense 33 minutes opens with a solid Morbid Angel-ish groove to start the title track, and the band never looks back, delivering 10 tracks in compact, effective 3-4 minute bursts of rumbling razor sharp fury. There’s no real peaks or valleys, and certainly nothing to bring the “HOLY FUCK”, but just a consistent, head bobbing, grimace inducing competence that satisfying any black or death metal urges.
Big muscular lurches like the”The Crowning Moment” or “Storm of Plague” collide with the aforementioned Goatwhore reference not only in the southern tinged “Christ Crusher” but also blackened groove thrash of “Nocturnal” “Castle of Meth” and arguable standout “Leviathan’s Crown” which mixes both. Closer “Conjuring Your Death” ends the album with a high energy blast of blackened death fury, going out with a bang rather than a winding down whimper, highlighting the energy these unsigned guys bring to the table. Blast Head records- you reading this?
