If I may quote the late Judy Garland from the classic "The Wizard Of Oz"...there's no place like home...and by that, on this occasion I'm referring to record labels. Just like the place you live, some artists just feel at home or a sense of belonging on certain labels where everything feels just right; where they have the freedom, ability and encourangement to do whats best in their own interests, as oppose to being forced to produce for the labels sake. This is apparently the case for Wisconsin death metal outfit MORTA SKULD, who find themselves returning to PEACEVILLE RECORDS for the first time in twenty years to release their brand new album; "Wounds Deeper Than Time". With a shuffled line-up and their creative juices flowing, let's see what's got them hurting...
We open up with "Breathe In The Black" and immediately we're greeted with slow and sinister riffage of the most menacing calibre. The double kick drums are sharp and overall, musically the track is a wicked blend of technical brutality and hellacious post thrash-metal. The cool-down period at the end of the cut is both welcoming and worrying at the same time, not knowing what the band have planned next but it works and it's allowed for an encouraging introduction.
"My Weakness" and "Against The Origin" continue the onslaught in ferocious fashion, perfectly blending the savagery of the genre with solid and consistant groove, in ways it could be said for death metal this is quite accessible and while purists may scoff at the idea, it allows the genre to reach new audiences. There are all the hallmarks of classic-era death but there are elements of more modern metal production values akin to the likes of say, CHIMAIRA in places, bringing together the two in one moment in time, likewise with album highlight "Scars Within"...a brilliantly paced and unforgiving piece of music; at it's slowest paying homage to early PARADISE LOST while at it's fastest simply shredding your face off, before we eventually finish up on "Becoming One Flesh". The longest track on offer, after more ear-bludgeoning metal it ends with another soothing closing arrangement that allows the listener a period of recovery time after over 40mins of growling and sonic fury.
After 20 years, Morta Skuld find themselves back on their original label with more drive, more hunger and according to vocalist and founding member David Gregor; the strongest lineup of their career...if anything proving time does indeed heal all wounds...it's a very well executed slab of death metal, back where it belongs; on Peaceville...as I said, there's no place like home. [7]
We open up with "Breathe In The Black" and immediately we're greeted with slow and sinister riffage of the most menacing calibre. The double kick drums are sharp and overall, musically the track is a wicked blend of technical brutality and hellacious post thrash-metal. The cool-down period at the end of the cut is both welcoming and worrying at the same time, not knowing what the band have planned next but it works and it's allowed for an encouraging introduction.
"My Weakness" and "Against The Origin" continue the onslaught in ferocious fashion, perfectly blending the savagery of the genre with solid and consistant groove, in ways it could be said for death metal this is quite accessible and while purists may scoff at the idea, it allows the genre to reach new audiences. There are all the hallmarks of classic-era death but there are elements of more modern metal production values akin to the likes of say, CHIMAIRA in places, bringing together the two in one moment in time, likewise with album highlight "Scars Within"...a brilliantly paced and unforgiving piece of music; at it's slowest paying homage to early PARADISE LOST while at it's fastest simply shredding your face off, before we eventually finish up on "Becoming One Flesh". The longest track on offer, after more ear-bludgeoning metal it ends with another soothing closing arrangement that allows the listener a period of recovery time after over 40mins of growling and sonic fury.
After 20 years, Morta Skuld find themselves back on their original label with more drive, more hunger and according to vocalist and founding member David Gregor; the strongest lineup of their career...if anything proving time does indeed heal all wounds...it's a very well executed slab of death metal, back where it belongs; on Peaceville...as I said, there's no place like home. [7]
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