Gorefest
Rise To Ruin
Candlelight Records 2007
Holland's
Death metal Veterans Gorefest seem to
never rest on their laurels. On Rise to Ruin we see them displaying a
strength and a power akin to their legendary status. The riffs and and
songwriting on Rise to Ruin exhibit a muscled vigor that focuses all their past
efforts into a heavier and more disdainful concoction. The groove heavy
Revolt is loud and in your face but that can be said of pretty much all the
songs on this album. The title track is my favorite song because of its
sinister chunky riffs and throbbing double-bass drumming. Towards the end
of the song the speed picks up and some subtle melody is infused into its sinewy
folds. Babylon's Whores has moments of blistering speed but it is really
the slower moments where most of the mental damage is done. Speak When
Spoken To continues the unforgiving onslaught of groove heavy pummeling.
In some ways Gorefest's style is similar to modern Boltthrower's as it rumbles
along like an unstoppable tank. Rise to Ruin has the feel of a call to
action, a manifesto of sorts with its shouted and gruff vocals courtesy of
Jan-Chris. Rise to Ruin's undeniable groove-laden muscles are constantly
flexing making it impossible to ignore. Gorefest have never been one of my
favorite bands in the death metal scene and this album is not going to make me a
new convert. However their influential status is well deserved and Rise to
Ruin showcases why with its confident and powerful songs that exude sheer death
metal conviction.