This Finnish act has a decent back catalogue with two albums, an EP and a couple of singles as they release their superb third full length which I am certain will gain much attention such is its quality. At just over the 30 minute mark every aspect of the songs is placed for maximum impact, perfectly demonstrated by opener ‘As The Knife Cuts Deep’ a perfect metaphor for the sonic stabbing this album perpetrates. With catchiness ingrained into every track there were times when this album made me think about latter era Avulsed because of the asphyxiating density with really brutal and catchy riffing. The link is tenuous I agree but you cannot prevent what our mind thinks about when listening to albums!

With atmospheric effects ‘Darkness Concealing Chaos’ has a cool groove sleaze as the ultra-dense bass and drums offer chunks of coalescing concretion. Alliteration aside Wrathrone match their enraging band name in places with majestic onslaughts as on ‘We Feast On Fear’ where the blasted tempo contrasts with the slower more epic affliction of ‘Infliction’. This latter tune may have clichéd horror movie like ethos but the damage is palpable as the song utilises the intensifying structure technique boldly and with assurance.

Far more melodic ‘Leader Of The Lost’ has a puncturing riff that has hints of Gorefest, especially with accompanying impenetrable density that harbours a grisliness which reappears on ‘Web Of Lies’. With the bass situated in the background, rumbling like thunder, the song has a far purer death metal styling than the other tunes. I particularly enjoyed the album’s closing track ‘Sane – Insane’ which at first I thought was going to be instrumental as the vocals don’t appear until well into the song. However during that build-up the song unveils some Dismember like riffing, particularly like their immense song ‘Dismembered’. With added atmospherics the song really stands out as each passing second is saturated with passionate riffing that dare I say even possesses a slight Gothic feathering on the edges. However it is the speed explosion you’ll expect and it dutifully arrives on cue producing a fine speeding finale to this excellent album.

If you’re already familiar with this band then rest assured as their third album continues their rich vein of originality, and if you’re new then check out this album with its formidable guttural riffing that offers more than just the sum of its parts.

(8.5/10 Martin Harris)

https://www.facebook.com/Wrathrone

https://greatdanerecords.bandcamp.com/album/eve-of-infliction