You can always rely on Poland to deliver the death metal goods even if this bands name is bloody awful. One look at the album cover art and Nile will be on your radar immediately. After yet another tedious intro to an album the album kicks of with “Sea Of Truth” and the first band to hit the musical radar is Vader, as even the bass drum sound sounds like the late Doc being that thudding reverberating pummelling that death metal always needs and not the boring clicky version. The song also has a huge influx of Immolation style sludginess making the song thick and brilliantly dense.
“Messerschmitt” has that Vader “Litany” era sense of anger and urgency as by now the band has introduced the Behemoth touches especially on the hyper speed snare blasting. Immolation is never far away as CH love to drop the pace to a treacle thick and crushing menace as the band decides to up the technicality on “We Are The Universe” bringing about Decapitated and Lost Soul to mind with ease and whilst you may be thinking this album is a just a rehash of old death metal by bands that have done it before then don’t be so damn cynical (that’s my job).
A number of the tracks have an overall similarity due to their fixation with Immolation generally but this is by no means a rip off as “Lost In The Sands” has a couple of Nile tricks worn proudly in the leads and well thought out solos. “Those Who Were” is a lesson in death metal demolition with little in finesse but plenty in bludgeoning you to a pulp. Sometimes it is easy to forget how catchy death metal is when confronted by an onslaught of riffs and blasting percussion mayhem but a song like “Shine For The Chosen One” is a perfect example of balancing battering rhythms and a good catchy hook and melody as even the slam works a treat.
If I’d heard this album earlier in the year I’m sure it would have reached my top 30 albums of the year especially when you have a song like “The Blood Of Stalingrad” (OK the sample isn’t really needed) but the build up is monstrously thick leading to an eerie feel in the song that is powerful and closes the album proper in true epic fashion. This could be a late crimbo pressie for yourself if you need death metal therapy.
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