This Norwegian extreme metal band has been around for over 15 years releasing one demo and an album in 2004 and 2005 respectively before lying fallow from over decade until ‘Lightning Bolts’ was released in 2018. Originally formed by Violator of the now defunct 122 Stab Wounds and subsequently joined by others from the same act, the band has been fortified further by the addition of ex-Gehenna member Dolgar on vocals and bass. This third album continues where the sophomore left off with abrasive guitar work and a blackening on the deathly outpourings as intro ‘Atomic Dreams’ sets the ominous scene for the albums overall structure leading slickly into ‘Atomic Revolt’. That abrasive guitar toning really suits the tracks with a nihilistic tendency as the song is pierced by an atramentous guitar hook that signals the impending surge in velocity. I really like the vocals on this album, which whilst typically harsh and possessing that inherent caustic vibe also have an air of malicious purpose.

‘Son Of Dawn’ follows with a cool drum and bass opening sequence before the song seemingly nose-dives with an impervious dense riff that shifts the song into a purer deathly terrain. I’d even say that aspects of this song are similar to Morbid Angel’s ‘Covenant’ due to the impacting wall of guitar work it possesses. Indeed there are plenty of dense metal bands I could reference such as Immolation, Incantation and their ilk but without delving into the dirtier side of that subgenre. The atmosphere of the track is wholly portentous especially when a cool drilling riff is unveiled midway coupled to the extruding lead break.

Continuing that foreboding styling is ‘Torment Inferno’ where a secluded guitar riff opens the songs doom like soundscaping. Slow and menacingly effective the track has a thudding oppressive and penetrating shadowy vibe. As the song sinuously crawls the influx of double bass makes the song significantly heavier producing gruesome deathly opacity. Crashing in superbly is ‘It Has A Name’ where the double kick utterly crushes the listener but is tempered by blasting snippets alongside the piercing guitar work. The song has a cool catchiness that I totally appreciated when counterbalanced by the more violent outbursts a strong facet of this album overall.

‘Martyrdom’ is immensely intimidating as the opening grating corrosive guitar riff sends the song into obliterating blasted oblivion. As before the track deploys sweeping tempo variations to great effect as this one initially rockets along before plummeting down into the gnarly grisly toning that death metallers will completely appreciate. Again the song is suffused with a blackness on the riffing creating unrelentingly horrific and destructive intent. Beginning with an atmospheric intro ‘Iron Vultures’ has a pervading sense of dread about it that sees a steady increase in intensity where marching snare work and embittered vocals listen like an intro piece before the song expands in the second half with a cool beat that makes the song feel industrialised to some degree.

Closing the release is ‘Enter The Storm’ a far thicker and intimidating song that has slower pacing with a threatening aura before powering in with a devastating riff. There is a dramatic toning to this song enhanced by the keyboard work which was surprisingly added but highly effective in enhancing the songs unremitting ominousness. Towards the songs finale it unfurls a fine isolated guitar riff that is desolate before the concluding double bass onslaught ensures you have been completely tangibly corrupted by The Deviant’s slithering, grisly and excellent third album.

(8.5/10 Martin Harris)

https://www.facebook.com/officialthedeviant

https://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/rotting-dreams-of-carrion