Artist: Zombiefied
Title: Outbreak
Type: EP
Label: Grindscene

Zombified come shambling your way from out of Belfast, Northern Ireland. While the southern Irish metal scene has seen a rise in recent years, that hasn't really been matched by their peers north of the border. That being said, Zombified have produced this five track EP on new Northern Irish death metal label, Grindscene records, and I'm happy to report that “Outbreak” is a fun slice of old school death metal catchiness.

“Infection” starts proceedings – essentially a sound clip of a news clip heralding the beginning of – what else – a Zombie outbreak, before breaking into the EP proper with the old school death metal leanings of “Morgue Angel”. So sure, the term “old school death metal” is bandied about with gay abandon these days, but in this context, “old school” really does mean what it says in the tin. This is death metal done the old way – at least musically, this reminds me greatly in places of Scream Bloody Gore era Death. A thrashy background to some of the riffing adds to the atmosphere, but it's when Zombified move into the blasting territory that they lose a bit of their character. So while title track “Outbreak” might have some of that deliciously addictive lo-fi old school vibe to it, “Amputheatre” sounds much more like a by-the-numbers death metal track that could be produced by any number of opening act standard death metal acts. That being said, when they get it right, they really do produce a catchy tune – Morgue Angel has an opening riff that I have been humming to myself for the thick end of a fortnight.

Musically, everything is where it should be. The guitars have plenty of bite, while the drums have an almost Autopsy like pummelling quality. The production is clear and bright, even though the drums are slightly high in the mix to my ears. All in all, an enjoyable short romp into death metal territory, and hope that Zombified can build on the Outbreak with a fully fledged injection.

http://www.myspace.com/zombifieduk