If I asked you to think about the catchiest death metal bands in existence then it’s possible you’d come up with the likes of Dying Fetus or Deicide or Obituary to name some high profile acts but you should also add Norway’s Blood Red Throne to that list of names. This is their eleventh album but you’d think with the album having a title referencing the nine sided polygon that this would be their ninth. I have tried to find some meaning to the title which isn’t explained in the promotional information I received nor does the album cover show anything either, though the cover art is absolutely fantastic by Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design.
BRT are old school death metal to the bone and anyone who has followed the band will know they are potentially one of the most underrated death metal bands the genre has to offer as once again the band unleashes a fine album capturing everything the genre has to offer. Leading off the album is ‘Epitaph Inscribed’ where a slow eerie build up charges into the chainsaw guitar riff that follows the opening sequence. There are plenty of Cannibal Corpse references but seeing as this band has been around for over two decades you could say that reference point is moot but I’m sure you understand why I included it.
With double bass loading ‘Ode To The Obscene’ follows as their trademark half blasted tempos encourage you to exercise those neck muscles but blend once again to some fine eerie almost poignant guitar work. When the band kicks in with brutality you get songs such as ‘Seeking To Pierce’ where the catchy groove based riffage is beastly and always easy to latch onto. I felt ‘Tempest Sculptor’ was similar to mid-era Morbid Angel, sublimely catchy but brutalising too as it links nicely with ‘Every Silent Plea’. BRT keep it simple, which isn’t to say there’s little in the way of technicality, far from it, the band uses a deft approach to the technical side of their song writing with cool lead breaks and solos adding to the impetus of every song where delivered.
Beastly and propagating monstrous groove is the title track, the harsh vocals blending with the deeper tones superbly as the track gorges itself on blasted segments and a fine solo to boot too. I absolutely adored ‘Split Tongue Sermon’ with its left and right orientating riff style conjuring something very old school indeed as the song settles into a melodic poise you can’t help but nod your head in approval to. Isolated guitar work adorns the opening section of ‘Blade Eulogy’ as the double kick work ensures everything is laden with catchiness before the much longer and epic ‘Fleshrend’. I expected the closer to start with some calmness but instead are greeted with full on death metal mastery with some of the heaviest riffs the album has to offer. The harsh vocal elements are used again here as the song continually evolves with increasing intensity towards it bludgeoning finale.
Yet another top notch album from BRT, one that continues their sole mission of writing catchy brutal death metal songs that affix into your head and never let go.
(9/10 Martin Harris)
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