Thrusting their musical madness back into the spotlight is Sweden’s Necrophobic. Their last album in 2006 (‘Hrimthursum’) was a fantastic return to form after a few years away from the scene. Now having gained a new bass player (Alex Friberg) making them a fully cohesive 5-piece strong unit, Necrophobic brandish their armour and prepare to give ‘Death to All’.
Taking a similar approach to their last release, historical death metal masters mix the tones of many a satanic night, this black metal sound (drumming on ‘Celebration of the Goat’ for example) is more prevalent on this new release, however, there is still the underlying pulverising death metal that we have come to know and love. ‘Revelation 666’ bleeds power and aggression; vocally Tobias Sidegård is on top form rasping sermons of anti-religion and darkness. The guitar work has all the death metal greatness with many a Watain/Dissection tone to the riffs. The arrangement is something gratifying also, the epic qualities come out towards to end of the track when things slow down somewhat and produce quite simply some mesmerizing atmosphere from the guitars, pure melody in the deep dark madness. ‘For Those Who Stayed Satanic’ brandishes an uncompromised assault and calling card to all those in league with Satan, again those bestial guitar undertones provide a wonderful cold atmosphere, like that found on ‘Temple of Damnation’. The albums title track is split into three parts, this is a opus of some 8.5 minutes and this closes a wonderful album, but also leaves you with the sense that you want to hear more, ‘Death to All’ is such a good listen even if it’s not a total mind upset like a couple of recent releases from other blackened death metal artists.
Having said that, this is a highly addictive album for the listener; it manages to draw you in further with each listen. There are damn good arrangements and some wicked musical output, quite simply a hypnotic blackened melodic death metal release from a band that is well overdue some credit for their efforts.
http://www.myspace.com/necrophobic
http://www.necrophobic.net/
http://www.regainrecords.com
