Four albums here generated in the different corners of Western Europe, but each carrying an undeniable quality. Each is also different in approach, but each reaching an apex of filthy joy during their time elapse. Discover at lesiure and enjoy forever!
Avulsed - Yearning for the Grotesque (2003 - Listenable)
Longstanding Spanish death metal perfected their sick sick art in 2003 with gallons of groove and galleons of gusto on Yearning for the Grotesque. Firstly we must address the matter of the inexcusably weak and cheesy cover art. Badly produced on a computer somewhere it shows a gore covered guy but with sharp pointy teeth, sounds cool? Yeah, sure. Looks cool, no.
A career in splatter has been a tad messy for the Spaniards, but Yearning… is one of the most solid releases in their entourage. The Cannibal Corpse stylings mixed with Carcass cultured gore are electrified with cheeky melodic leads that really make this a memorable treat and exhibition of enjoyable metal.
Iniquity – Five Across the Eyes (1999 – Mighty Music)
Iniquity, a band who have called it a day permanently, forged one sick album with Five Across the Eyes. Consisting of acrid slow dirges and complex rolling edifices, these Danes gave the slimy structures a belly full of bile using a guttural bass sound, and makes their sophomore effort a must try for fans of Cryptopsy.
Sewer scraping passages are tinged by the idiosyncratic wail of guitars sliding down the fret board, and some gymnastic pinching galvanises riffs. At times the wail approaches paranormal, like being inexplicably intoxicated on the power of a recurring nightmare.
Mads Haarløv’s barked vocals drag the dark groove to unfathomable depths of depravity, adding to the sheer satisfaction factor of this beast of a record. Tighter, with a better sound and more balanced than the 1996 debut Serenadium, this album was the pinnacle of the Iniquity’s career.
Tristwood - The Delphic Doctrine (2006 - Sound Riot)
Genius sci-fi synth backed death metal from the land-locked mountainous domain of Austria, Tristwood rock it Behemoth/Zyklon/Aborym style but with an added measure of charm. Surprisingly unknown, and with albums hard to get hold of, Tristwood have made themselves a cult worth following.
Several albums have culminated from the creative spring that these musicians possess, but the best is clearly the latest (not counting the rumoured ‘Black Light Code’). The Delphic Doctrine rips and grooves in all the right places. There is something about these riffs, all are essentially generic but the arrangement and general speed coupled with atmosphere is a winner.
Anata - Under A Stone With No Inscription (2004 - Wicked World)
Sublime “melo-tech” death metal from Sweden, gone relatively under the radar despite being released on Earache’s sister label, Wicked World. The track “A Problem Yet to be Solved” will stick in most peoples memories from Earache promos from back in 2004.
Under a Stone With No Inscription, according to fans is a definite highlight of Anata’s power and prowess and a march forward from Dreams of Death and Dismay (2001). Debate may arise when comparing Under… to The Conductor’s Departure (2006), as the latter release has garnered a very strong reaction.
