This Greek band has been around since the mid-80s which is surprising to me considering my penchant for old school death metal especially of the underground variety and my continual trawling to find gems within the scene. With a plethora of demos issued and a full length titled ‘Demise’ in 1992 the band promptly folded in 1993 but was re-initiated in 2013 with only Bill Soulas from the original line up. Since that time a further album, split, compilation and live release have been put out and now a third full length that firmly puts this act on the international death metal map as this album is easily a match for any album that has been released this year within death metal
Taking their cue from the late 80s and early 90s Death Courier live in time warp when death metal was dangerous, homicidal and maniacally brilliant, capturing the essence of the genre superbly but enhancing everything for the modern era with a set of catchy brutalising monstrosities that will hook you in with acid endowed claws. The three snare tap start is all you need to indicate that this album is about to sonically disembowel you when the title track unleashes a veritable fire tornado of blasting savagery backed up by a slightly quirky riff base.
Maintaining the impetus ‘Mourning Ecstasy’ possesses a very cool riff change that showcases the bands exemplary tempo fluctuations that make the momentum of the album so engaging with groove packed punch. Slowing down briefly is ‘As Heaven Blends With Rot’ where the gradual speed morphing is linked to that quirky riff posturing I’ve mentioned as the blast beat is smoothly harnessed with devastating results. The interlude titled… wait for it… ‘Interlude’ precedes ‘Pillars Of Murk’ where a cymbal hit catalyses an oppressive laden riff that owes plenty to doom death in tone and atmosphere before the inevitable detonation in speed as the song rattles along similar to Aborted in some sense and earlier Malevolent Creation. ‘Immune To Burial’ is awesome, the continual battering showing little easing up enables the track to capitalise on the power with unerring brutality as the riff change is accompanied by a fabulous double kick incursion that will inflict grievous neck damage. Indeed that neck damage continues into ‘Visceral Slice’ where a short sample is displayed before a thrashing riff is unveiled and snapping pace. Again its Aborted like, particularly vocal wise as the speed here is insane in places with sporadic warp like intensity before the album closes with the more epic strains of ‘Remnants’.
Being slightly longer in duration ‘Remnants’ is allowed to unfurl a slower more atmospheric charging without delving into doom death territory as the song channels its energy via a build-up sequence that links into a formidable double bass onslaught that is penetratingly effective. Like the other tunes the song eventually reveals its blasting credentials as any fan of proper death metal should buy this album as it is damn brilliant.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
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