Finally, a long awaited debut album from this American Death Metal collective gets released upon the unsuspecting world. Old school death metal underground veterans don’t get more accomplished than this. It’s been 17 years since this band has trooped across the US touring, and this summer US fans will be able to see them again with legendary band Master (US). Alex Boukes (Guitars) and Chris Gamble (Bass/Vocals) have re-ignited the spark that was put out in 1992. Now joined by label mate John McEntee and fellow Incantation bruiser Jim Roe, they are now ready to take on the world, not just the USA.
So what does this band offer? Downright dirty bloody death metal that’s what. The way things use to be, no triggers, no blast beats “just because we can”, just simple good solid pounding death. If you like influences like Necrovore, Possessed, Massacre (US) and Autopsy then you should be in for a treat. ‘Ordeal of the Abyss’ makes no apologies, mixed to perfection, the drums and bass are clearly pummelling the life out of something, whilst the guttural rasp of Chris Gamble takes you six feet under the earth especially with the added death screams and sound samples. ‘Grave Plagued Planet’ in places brings out the Tom G Warrior of old, whilst you are beaten and bruised by the shear headbanging requirement that the track leads you to perform. There are no breakneck speed numbers, most are mid-paced at best, similar to what Necrovore used to do, the Celtic Frost influences tend to come through during the slower numbers (‘Despised and Ruined’), but sometimes the mix gets a little too muddy during these sections. On the whole though, it’s an authentic recording. ‘A Grievous Case’ gets things moving again and brings out some drum fills and percussion work that is quite special whilst not being too over complicated for the hell of it. The riffing just after the solo reminds me of the great Chuck Schuldiner. The magical riffs don’t stop with this one either, take ‘Ascending Into Vices’, this has quickly become my standout number of the album because it just reeks of sickness and unblemished battering with a solid arrangement and mix, the same can be said for the album title track that ups the speed stakes immensely from the opening chords.
This is an album any self respecting old school US Death metal fan should own, it is by no means genre defining release, but I have found that this sits right up their in favour of some of the “classics” that are mentioned about the place. This is good death metal pure and simple, with still very much that underground hunger and filth. I do hope this band come to the UK soon; this is an album that needs to be played live.
http://www.myspace.com/goreaphobia
http://www.goreaphobia.com/
http://www.ibexmoonrecords.com
