Dead Heretic

When it comes to death metal, I am something of a snob. The production and the vocals are what makes or breaks a band for me. Few death metal bands cut it outside the studio, as far as I am concerned. Amon Amarth are one band that has their crap together and produce wickedly awesome sounds. Mortification, infinitely less famed than Amon Amarth, were another band with an awesome grinder. In the indie scene, I have not been wowed, to be frank. That was until now.

Voratore by Italian grinders Continuum of Xul (Xul from now on) are, without doubt, up there with the best. Just on thirty-nine minutes is enough for this trio to concuss you into a comatose stupor. In that time, you get through the standard ten tracks. There are no epic attempts to create mega-long tracks or other gimmicks. Xul keep it at the roots of death metal and they promise nothing they don't deliver.

Musically, the rhythms are frenetic and don't let up after the first intro track, “Kadhoth”. The guitars of M. Gresele, who handles all of the strings and more, are sledgehammers complemented by the machine-gun blows of a ballpeen hammer to the kneecaps. Chords, howling solos and more make the sound exhilarating and a wild ride with the Headless Horseman. Gresele works the strings at an unrelenting speed and with a tonne of style. M. Bestia slams the drums in avalanche of beats and bass, smashing the faces of any getting too close. It is getting pummelled by thirty-seven combinations from Muhammed Ali. The instruments are a tight unit and they shred as good as the best.

Master T. brings the grind vocals and what can be said. They are low, bombastic, snarling and growling. Master T. brings it all and keeps up the barrage through the entire album in flawless grind.

Unlike a lot of the more polished productions, none of the dark energy is lost in Voratore. You are right there in the pit with the band, raw energy and snarling growls. You are in the Flavian Amphitheatre hoping the lions will go for the dude next you. Xul have not over-done the production and it sounds much better for it. This is a tightly crafted album that packs a kilotonne of fury.

For anyone looking for solid death metal from an indie band, Continuum of Xul are your guys.