Two years on from their sophomore effort ‘Godless’, Danes Deus Otiosus have further developed their old school death metal sound to encapsulate more of their own style this time around, rather than heralding older more ground rooted influences. This is what bands like this need to do as there is a danger of becoming complacent with the revivalist nature of the genre.
There is a slight thrash element on offer, much more in your face, certainly than their brutal debut; the thrash element is more the tempo and arrangements than a pure thrash effort. The basis of this album is still Scandinavian of the early 90’s. ‘Don’t Fuck with the Dead’ is a perfect example of both traits mentioned earlier with the pleasing sound of guitar harmonising coming to the forefront. Thankfully the guitar sound is not so over distorted or over processed as some bands have adopted lately, those Swedeath impersonators etc, but this sound is still certainly organic, a little muddy and full of vigour.
‘Breeding Maggots’ is a faster expression of thrashing death metal violence, vocally from the pit of Anders Bo Rasmussen’s guts. You can also better appreciate the drum patterns with this album mix that highlights all musicians and gives a gratifying reward as a listener, especially when you hear the twin guitar work that appears many times throughout this album.
‘Walk the Shadows’ is a furious death monster; crossing swords with the early Florida scene and the more technical aspects of thrash and death, mainly from this sweet guitar patterns. ‘Will and Fear’ is a cluster bomb of nihilistic proportions and feeling, there is a black metal element rearing its head here too by nature of the chord structures, something early Deus Otiosus material possessed and welcomed here, but it’s not going to detract my comparison to the early US death metal forerunners too much as an influence. This track is rather busy, guitar riffy, wild and very imaginative, as is the whole release actually.
‘Rise’ is a positive leap forward for a band that for me deserves more recognition for their efforts, it out shines their second effort ‘Godless’ which was a touch tame when comparing to the debut ‘Murderer’, but rise certainly gives a more brutal blackened death thrash stance, especially towards the latter half of the album. The older, darker side of Deus Otiosus changes the albums character around ‘Fall of the West’ which is the closing tune, its gives a more sinister listening experience and shows a band not afraid to move forward without losing their well respected brutal roots.
(8/10 Paul Maddison)
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