Rebel Souls released a fine debut full length back in 2017 titled ‘The Forces Of Darkness’ one that captured the black and death hybrid extremely well and this sophomore continues that styling with a rampaging onslaught from start to finish. Originally the band hails from Germany but has relocated to Spain and when I first checked Rebel Souls I was expecting some sort or weedy power metal judging by the moniker but as the saying goes don’t judge a book by a cover, as this excellent album starts with the title track. Usually you get an intro track or an intro sequence to settle the listener in but absolutely not here, the band crashes in with blasting forays with the sole intention of cleaving off your head. I absolutely love the drum work on this album the double kick blast segments are utterly pulverising, akin to Cannibal Corpse stylistically as the band continue the bludgeoning with ‘Trophonios’, which is a Greek god without going into too much detail, as the blasted speed rarely relents and when it does it is to unveil another riff or tangential tempo deviation to catch you out as much of the album reminded me of Deicide, Monstrosity and to some degree Bolt Thrower due to the crushing density and power the band has succeeded in attaining with the production.
‘Poisoner Of The Harvest’ is punishingly slower, its grisly styling has a guttural ferocity that whilst not necessarily fast is insanely heavy, pummelling the listener to a pulp as ‘Corrupting The Lambs’ follows. Not quite as memorable the song returns to the blast beat mayhem initially before slithering down a doom like soundscape reeking of suffocating horror. ‘Hugely dense and foreboding ‘Sea Of Crises’ smashes back in with that double kick blasting technique as the band isn’t too far from Slayer’s ‘Reign In Blood’ riffing wise only a lot heavier that seems like a natural evolution from that album in some respects.
There are no weak tunes here, if anything each is a standout on its own as ‘Nihil Infinitum’ bombards the listener with a true death metal demolition that old school fans will adore, as I did. Flowing into ‘Beneath The Veneer’ the momentum is colossal as the tune is probably my favourite on the album, primarily due to the unmitigated bulldozing and battering assault it subjects you to as the bands self-titled track ‘Rebel Souls’ sees the song duration increase slightly. Atmospheric and creepy the song channels down a slower purpose with oppressive guitar work and asphyxiating bass and drum work to choke the life from you as ‘Virulent’ closes this great album. With a sample taken from one of The Matrix films, that bit where Smith is saying the human race is a virus etc., as the tune exemplifies the conceptual basis of the album, based on the human race’s impending self-annihilation, a theme often covered by extreme metal bands. The song is superb, its cloying hostility is bolstered by the blasting drum work and continual evolving tempo dynamics making the closer yet another favourite as it ends with acoustic guitar like viewing a post-apocalyptic wasteland after the war.
A great second album from Rebels Souls, one saturated in an old school death metal ethos but capitalising on a modern production for an album of immense heaviness and awesome songs.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
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