These Germans appear to have had a bit of a tumultuous past: starting out in 2004, releasing two EPs, splitting up (losing members with names like Randy Rots in the process) and reforming. But alas, after ten years of waiting they’ve at last committed their debut album to tape. Including three rerecorded tracks from the aforementioned demos, ‘Hallow the Dead’ is completed with five brand new numbers such as ‘Steelpanther’s Fist(?!)’ and ‘Ghostwipper(?!?!)’. The demonic cherry on the cake here – for band and punters alike – is the excellent artwork, incorporating a similar hue in its abominable scenery as Sepultura’s debut.
‘Deathchant Assyria’ kicks off with drums, murky riffs and an “URGH!” before we are collectively thrust into a torrent of old school occult-tinged death metal. The feel of Deathronation’s sound is like standing in front of a wall of fire – specifically due to the guitars but also because of Stiff Old’s hellish vocals which have more in common with Possessed than much early ‘90s death. Likewise, the riffs and many drum rolls of the opener breathe hate at every turn; perhaps none more so than when the music slows down to force the band’s message painfully home with a thoroughly haunting solo section. Despite the seven minute length of the opener, it feels far from being so long. Mixing epic touches with raw force, ‘Spiritual Relief’ again kicks bumhole. Incorporating the first concerted example of blast-beats on the album, ominous grooves are infested by the frontman’s roars – as well as the odd random bark. Some unexpected female vocals towards the end truly put the ‘spiritual’ into this otherwise brutal experience.
Even though the band spends most of its time raging, there does seem to be a fair degree of subtlety in what they’re doing – like how they change gears seamlessly in ‘Ghostwipper’ or involve bizarre guitar lines and piano at the very end of the disc. Equally, while some passages are formulaic due to the chosen style of barbaric extremity, surprise plays a part at key moments on ‘Hallow the Dead’. At the start of ‘Church of Salvation’ for example, we go from a satisfyingly ballsy opening to suddenly being set upon by feral riffs which pull from different directions simultaneously. Ultimately if all you lust for is straight-down-the-line ‘80s style fury in the vein of early Death, Autopsy etc, this is very much the place to be. Whether fast or slow, Deathronation manage to mete out pain consistently. One of my favourite tracks is ‘Realm of Shadows’, which really embodies the album as a whole, with music that tears through flesh and bone like gnarled zombie fingers, eschewing everything relevant to the living world.
Rather predictably, Deathronation’s updated take on the classics doesn’t hit the same mesmerising peaks as those cited above. Its disdain for modernity does, however, provide it with a really authentic vibe. By dodging the trappings of digital production, the instrumentation and vocals thrust forth as if they have clawed their way out from that distant decade of infernal big hair and hellishly tight trousers. Even though odd sections of the music amble in comparison to the general standard set by the band, ‘Hallow the Dead’ is overall a solid slab of violence which will certainly satisfy worshippers of the old.
(7.5/10 Jamie)
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