Wombbath 
Tales of Madness

Sweden’s Wombbath have been very busy since their 2014 reformation. I initially thought it would be just to record 1 album but no as the band has recorded a full 3 full lengths as well as this, I guess you can call fourth full length however this is more of a fun walk down memory lane. 2020 was a busy year for Wombbath releasing their fourth full length Choirs of the Fallen. A nice effort in their continued Swedish death metal trend. The songs were a tad longer than past efforts, though.

This brings us to Tales of Madness, released at the tale end of 2020.  8 songs which compromises 6 re-recorded songs and 2 new songs. The older re-recorded songs are from their Brutal Mights demo and eps like Several Shapes and the classic 1993 debut Internal Caustic Torments. “Tales from the Dark Side” opens and the Swedish death metal guitar tone is really filthy. The band opting to go for a dirtier guitar, less polished sound; however creating a heavier guitar tone in the process. Håkan Stuvemark the man in a billion bands, like Henry KaneConsumption and Rex Demonus just to name a few of his killer bands. What separates him from some musicians in many bands is his all are different. Henry Kane playing ferocious death/grindcore, Rex Demonus melodic black metal and Consumption death/goregrind.

Regardless up next is “Brutal Mights”, sounding more filthy and disgusting than the original. Great atmosphere and heaviness throughout, with the blast beats sounding very tight and chanting choral moments are fitting.
The title track and “The Fleshly Existence of Man”.  “Tales of Madness” has a great early 90’s Swedish dm speed to it. Galloping intensity before the ferocious blast beat. The 2.55 slower part is awesome and then right into a great blast and nice double bass action to detach your torso quickly.
“The Fleshly Existence of Man” starts melodic and then right into the rumbling heaviness. Excellent vocals. The part right before the minute section is awesome. The guitar really breathes on this track then right into an atmospheric part sounding middle eastern. Very epic and expansive moment which works for Wombbath. I’d like to see more of those moments on their next album.  This album has a nice production, raw, brutal and filthy and the guitar tone is really heavy.

“Tales of Madness” really captures the essence of the Wombbath sound with the re-recorded songs but also giving us a glimpse into some of their new elements.  These new elements with more atmosphere, middle eastern moments mixed in with their signature Swedish brutality really adds something so as to separate them from other death metal acts, playing a similiar style – I like it – keep it up fellas!  Fans of Dismember will want to check this out and this is a great listen.

[Visit the band's website]
Written by Frank Rini
January 15th, 2021

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