When Swedish Death Metal comes from another country is it still Swedish Death Metal? The same could be said for Brazilian Extreme Metal, very unique sounds. Ones that are highly praised too and also replicated. I think it’s high time that we started tagging genres with countries, it makes sense. After all what with the internet and rise of Bandcamp anything is possible, in fact just this last week I was checking out Garden Of Eyes, a UK based HM-2 worshipping Death Metal machine who I would call Swedish Death Metal.
On this subject we look to Germany and the band Endseeker. They formed in 2014 and have been working their way up the ranks ever since. Their debut Flesh Hammer Prophecy and following album The Harvest have alluded me somewhat but now with the release of Mount Carcass (excellent name) through Metal Blade things could be on the up. This band have a heavy love for Swedish Death Metal and it shows, but does it have that authentic touch?
Unholy Rites gets right into the Swedish Death Metal sound, blending Melodic influence with more straight up chainsaw guitars, a great mix. Carrying on with this is Merciless Tide This is excellent headbangable Death Metal, great traditional vocals make for nice vocal hooks and overall a strong package. Bloodline in particular is a real ear worming track, I really get some Lik vibes from Endseeker and I’m totally into that, maybe a bit of At The Gates too. The title track is a massive banger, there is another term I could affix to this, and that’s festival Death Metal, it’s high energy and full of memorability, classic but not tired.
My only gripe to be honest would be that I often find this style of Death Metal to be all show and no grow. I mean that with the greatest of respect but albums of this ilk tend to really impress me initially only for me to then forget about them a few weeks later, either that or I play them to death much like Slaughter Of The Soul. Without defaming the band though the title track gets right back into the savage guitars laced with melody and of course still retains those lovely hooks. Truth be told though there isn’t all that much to write home about, it’s good, solid Death Metal with a heavy Swedish influence but not much more. Back to basics, catchy and all round decent. The instrumental homage to John Carpenter’s Escape From New York is a cool nod though, even if it is a little pointless.
Overall strong, I’d certainly go back for more. However, it’s not quite the calibre of say Under The Church or Lik whom I would be much more likely to go for than this. Then of course you’ve got a ton of classic albums to compete with too. If you’re into a Swedish style though then you’ll probably get on really well with this, for sure I’d like to hear more from Endseeker and they’re a band who I’d absolutely go see live and buy a shirt, which I think is as good a summary as any.
(8/10 George Caley)
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