Gruesome - 'Savage Land' (Album Review)

Album Type: Full-Length

Date Released: 21/04/2015

Label: Relapse Records

‘Savage Land’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Savage Land

2. Trapped In Hell

3. Demonized

4. Hideous

5. Gangrene

6. Closed Casket

7. Psychic Twin

8. Gruesome

Gruesome is:

Daniel Gonzalez (Possessed) | Guitar
Matt Harvey (Exhumed, Dekapitator) | Guitar, vocals
Robin Mazen (Derekta) | Bass
Gus Rios (Ex-Malevolent Creation) | Drums

Review:

Name the best death metal band of all time.... there are a few contenders. These days, a lot of people polled would answer: “Death.” While that is a debate for another day, Gruesome exist in the shadow of, even in thrall to all things Schuldiner. Actually, I should say “two things Schuldiner” as this album worships at the altar of only two records from the man's glorious discography. Which two? Not ‘Symbolic’ or ‘Individual Thought Patterns’. Think ‘Leprosy’ and ‘Scream Bloody Gore’. To hear this record is bizarre; it is EXACTLY like listening to a modern update of those two records. It really is eerie. All this is totally understandable, formed as they are from a veritable who's who of DTA musicians (form Exhumed, Possessed and so on).

There are superb moments here; “Demonized” just rips, the guitar riffs and melodies are excellent. Truthfully, there are no bad tracks here; you get dramatic intros, solos, thrashing drums and vocals with a very similar phrasing to Chuck in his late 80's prime.

It is ferocious, relentless and really will take you back in time to when you first heard ‘Leprosy’ or ‘SBG’. Make no mistake, it is not as if the Schuldiner legacy needs this record, as his body of work speaks for itself (all the records are good and some I would run out of superlatives for), but it is nice that there is a such a direct line to that era and that it has been so well done. The riffing in “Gangrene” is pure Schuldiner (except that it isn't) while “Closed Casket” is death metal as it really used to be. There are no blast beats here as this is a strictly old school affair. To call this album a pastiche is to do it a disservice; facsimile might be a more appropriate term.

To sum up, if you enjoy early period Death then this album is a must, because on those terms it absolutely slays. If you want late period death... will the band follow the same career path?! The mind boggles at the possibilities. In the here and now, ‘Savage Land’ is that rarest of beasts: a consistently old school death metal album made in the modern day that doesn't outstay its' welcome and just melts your face.

Words by: Richard Maw

‘Savage Land’ is available via Relapse Records or from any good stockists

For more information:

Like: Gruesome on Facebook | Listen: Gruesome on Bandcamp

Live Review : Death DTA Europe 2013, Sound Control, Manchester, UK, 28th November 2013

With Manchester’s Sound Control completely sold out for the evenings show, there was scarcely any room to budge in the compact venue. With two screens mounted right and left of the stage and Death’s iconic logo adorning the back of stage drape, the band ripped through a set which took in many of Death’s high points over the years.

The evening was billed as a celebration of the music of Death, and the life of Chuck Schuldiner, under the moniker of Death to All.

The band opened with Flattening of Emotions from Human. The mix of blast beat drumming and melodic riffing was fleshed out with some superb solo work. By the end of the first track, the crowd were firmly on board and ready to pay homage to one of the greatest death metal bands ever.

Throughout the night, the band played Suicide Mission, Cosmic Sea and Lack of Comprehension from Human; arguably the best of a tremendous bunch of albums. Also making up the set list is a large proportion of Leprosy. The title track, Left To Die and eventual set closer, Pull The Plug are all met with the throwing up of devil horns and plenty of neck wrecking enthusiasm.

Punctuating the superb material from these albums were a magnificent airing of Within The Mind from Spiritual Healing, Zombie Ritual from the ever lauded classic, Scream Bloody Gore. Baptized In Blood from the same album just show the iconic and influential nature of this band. They are delivered with fury and precision that pay the right tribute to the bands departed leader. The breakneck soloing and riffing in Baptized in Blood is a joy to hear.

Whilst this is not Death, it never could be without Chuck, the band and crowd came together for a glorious celebration of one of metals finest bands. In addition to Death being one of the best, Chuck was also one of the best. If this tour is treated as what it says on the tin, and you’re a fan, you will have a blast.

Words by : Dominic Walsh

For more information :

https://www.facebook.com/DeathOfficial

https://www.facebook.com/DeathDTATours?fref=ts