Veteran German thrashers Accuser have come roaring back with this self-titled release. Album number 12 finds them in a delightfully skull crushing mood with the return of lead guitarist René Shütz giving proceedings a classic lift.
Like an aural explosion, “Misled Obedience” displays a Possessor level craziness with a hammering bass line. Buzz saw riffage with drums brought well to the fore, it combines massively with “Phantom Graves” for a one-two whack of heaviness to the head. Heavily Slayer slanted at times they inject very melodic, almost neo-classical guitar breaks. “Black Album” Metallica comes to mind on “Temple Of All” and the sense of a band flexing their muscles as they dig into a chugging mid-tempo riff with an Eastern twist.
René’s return is notable and adds texture as he adds melodious moments into otherwise spiky moods. “Lux In Tenebris” is a big track with the band creating sonic layers and it mixes well mid album with the thoughtful “Be None The Wiser” and it’s sad indictment on humanity.
They always return to the edge though. Tortured lead guitar with a nod to Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman are found on “Rethink” before more fretboard pyrotechnics lift “Seven Lives”. The militaristic stomp of “A Cycles End” closes an album that absolutely flies by.
There’s a definite Teutonic edginess to this crusher. Showing off their vintage but bringing a freshness to their sound, Accuser prove that the old guard still has what it takes. Well worth a spin.
(7/10 Johnny Zed)
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