Metal is full of hard-working individuals. Let’s face it most people who work in the industry probably seldom see a penny. Even artists whom we deem as pioneers most likely struggle to make a living or have day jobs to fund touring expenses. It’s a genre full of dedication, both from bands and fans. Fans like myself who give hours to reviews, radio etc and others who travel across the globe to see their favourite artists. I really don’t think you’d find that sort of die-hard attitude in any other form of music.

Today we look at two individuals, Death Metal icons who know all about hard work Rogga Johansson most notably of Putrevore, Paganizer, Revolting, Ribspreader and countless others, and also Paul Speckmann of course from the mighty Master and Death Strike. They’ve had a project simply titled Johansson & Speckmann since 2013 and it’s been a success. Pumping out album after album the project is a testament to their ethos and now in 2020 we get to their fifth full length The Germs Of Circumstance through Soulseller Records.

Real OSDM is the immediate reaction that I get from this record as the title track barges in. There is no time for pontification and fanciful instrumentals. I love that ideology, let’s get straight into the meat with frantic guitars and drums, not to mention killer OSDM vocals from the iconic Paul Speckmann! Storming through with Punk driven energy is the hook laden One World One Leader a quick number that gets your fist pumping and head banging. The formula of catchy lyrical portions becomes commonplace by Take The Lions Share but I’ve always dug that structure in Death Metal as it’s a dirty form of music that I think we should be able to fully immerse ourselves in, even through angry shouting.

The album moves fast but I kind of enjoy that given the very stripped back approach which it has in sound. Generations Antidote adds to the already growing pool of aggressive Metalpunk fury with absolutely no let up in terms of speed and no time for melody. This can lead to the album being a touch one note. Sure thing Provoke The Collective and Devour Engage The Hour Of Rage are further exciting songs, but even given the albums short length it’s still somewhat of a drag by its closure. Interestingly enough I actually view this album more as a single song affair, which is strange for me. The kind of tracks that in a live setting would kill but not so much whilst sitting at home alone.

The Germs Of Circumstance is a weird record for me, on the one hand I fully get it. It’s maniacal Death Metal as old school as you’d like but equally it’s a bit much. I’m not one to back down in the face of brutality but for the first time ever I kind of see the need for an additional instrumental interlude. It breaks things up, keeps thing interesting and saves albums from becoming a slog. This record is by no means hard work because the music within is of such a high standard but it’s certainly not record spinning stuff. Get this out at a festival however and prepare for a whale of a time.

(7/10 George Caley)

https://www.facebook.com/Johansson-Speckmann-225899484206206

https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-germs-of-circumstance