All old school death metal fans know that there are 3 certainties in life. Death, Taxes, and the fact that any album with Martin Van Drunen’s voice on it is sure to have old school beats and a guitar tone fuzzier than chewbacca’s ballsack. And so if you a fan of Asphyx, then you have come here expecting one thing, and one thing only. Death…The Brutal way. And you shall not be disappointed. If by chance you have never heard Asphyx, the easiest way I find to describe them is this. They make the kind of death metal that Obituary wish they still knew how to write.
For me a new Asphyx album is like comfort food. It’s great to go out and try new weird and wonderful things, but nothing beats sitting down with a cup of tea and a classic custard cream every now and again. And that is very much the musical role that Asphyx fills in my household. You know it’s going to be just as good as it was in the old days. It never disappoints, it just consistently delivers exactly what you were looking for, and this new album is no exception.
As soon as you hit play this album gets straight down to business. No lengthy intro, no bullshit. It just comes barrelling straight at you with the bands trademark filthy beats and even filthier riffs. With MVD’s unmistakable tortured howling vocals cutting through the chaos like only he can. It’s clear immediately that this album is picking up exactly where 2012’s excellent “Deathhammer” album left off.
So obviously this album is very much business as usual for Asphyx. It’s an absolute blast from start to finish. And even the most jaded and nerdy modern death metal fan will be powerless not to get caught up in the onslaught of beefy grooves on offer here. However I do have one small criticism of this album. And that is the mix. Don’t get me wrong it sounds awesome. But it just sounds a little more digital than the previous albums. Just a little cleaner around the edges, and a bit more produced in general. Which for me slightly dulls the edge of their very crunchy sound. But this is a personal preference only (in the immortal words of Ol’ Dirty Bastard “Baby I like it raw”) and I doubt it will bother the less fussy among you.
Needless to say if you are a fan of the bands previous outings, or anything Martin Van Drunen has been on (worth noting that this is his first outing since his departure from Hail of Bullets) then this is an essential album to pick up. But if you have checked them out before and it’s not your thing then this will obviously do nothing to change your mind.
( 8/10 Mark Gleed)
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