Short Thoughts: Suffocation, Autopsy, Immolation

I thought I would do something a little different this time around and write a few thoughts on a few death metal albums from this year, namely from some big American names in death metal. As I don't get to write these as often anymore, maybe I will continue doing it this way. We'll see. Anyway...




Suffocation - Pinnacle Of  Bedlam

If ever there was an album modern day death metal and deathcore bands should take note of, it is this. The keyword to this album? 'Balance'. A combination of the deep stomping riffs, the technical bursts, the quickfire blasts, yet still taking enough breaths for you to absorb it all in. Not too brutal, not too technical. The key is Suffocation doesn't over do it with any elements here. It slightly hints at the modern day sound, but rather than adapting to the aforementioned styles, they simply show all modern day death metal and deathcore bands how it should be done.





Autopsy - The Headless Ritual

Autopsy's return has been REALLY good! After so long, they have still maintained that production that is a little murky. The rusty riffs and leads continue to tear through, the doom plodding continues to feel like the one taking a step back and glancing in admiration at the gore like scene they just envisioned on a black canvas. It gallops and it paces as Reifert's echoing harsh yells take chilling command. The best thing after all these years is that they still sound like they did in their prime.





Immolation - Kingdom Of Conspiracy

No doubt Immolation these days seem to have taken their brutality to some futuristic realm. Controlled heavy bursts and blistering speeds with moments of just shifting it back with pounding riffs. It feels mechanical and everything timed to perfection as if they each have the same mind chip planted in their brains. My only issue is that the drumming is mixed a bit too high and can really take away from the riffs at times. Otherwise, this is bellowing stuff.


Ikil

Watain - The Wild Hunt

I will admit that for a while there, I found the hype for Watain a little over the top. That wasn't to say I didn't like the music though. They definitely back up their 'black metal theatre' with their music. I was anticipating 'The Wild Hunt' as I could just sense they were ready to try new things. They have and for me, have succeeded in doing it well.

Boasting the usual catchy riffs, echoing tremolo bursts and blasting beats, there are plenty of technical swivels, disjointedness and dark and soaring leads to give the album much more flare. With that comes plenty of epic touches. 'Black Flames March' sounds glorious. The tremolo lead in 'The Child Must Die' sounds piercingly huge! Then comes along the unusual deep and dark ballad 'They Rode On', with its build up, clean vocals and twin leads and heck, Watain just took their 'black metal theatre' to new heights. I for one, welcome it. This moment along with moments in the brooding title track remind me of a more darker Bathory viking era. Which brings me to another point. I really like is E's vocals this time around. Different tones in his harsh moments and the times he sings, it suits this style perfectly. Dark and eerie, nothing over the top.

What Watain has done here is made an album with enough different elements to make this interesting and appealing but also still remain true to their sound. Quite frankly, another album of stripped down stuff would be boring and forgettable and given Watain's appeal, they are obviously about achieving more than that. This is why I am open and appreciative of the new elements brought into their sound. To an extent, I compare this to Tribulation's amazing offering this year, only 'The Wild Hunt' is a little more controlled with the dares.

For me, the top three black metal bands in Sweden right now are Marduk, Shining and Watain, all of which are pushing their music with image too and I don't have an issue with that if the music is still good. Watain may have just become the kings now. A modern day black metal classic? Too early to call. It is destined to grow on these ears more however.

Ikil