DISMEMBER „“Dismember””

Country: Sweden
Music: Death Metal
Cool Songs: Under a Bloodred Sky, No Honor in Death, Death Conquers All

Like an ever flowing stream of blood and bloated carcasses, Sweden's Dismember has return to butcher the ears of rabid death metal fans across the globe. Their newest addition to their catalog of sanguinary delights bears no title. Although journalists and fans have and will call this release a self-titled effort, front man, Matti Karki states this album has no title. Only viewing the word “Dismember” on the title is fitting for a band that has retained their trademark sound for so many years.

Any serious death metal fan is able to describe the sound and style that DISMEMBER plays. First, the group has mastered and evolved the art of down-tuned, gritty guitar tones. From the first furious note, this proprietary sound is one of the first noticeable facets. Led by newly dubbed drummer Thomas Daun, guitarists David Blomqvist and Martin Persson explode with a flurry of notes containing the consistency and weight of mixing cement. This first track, “Death Conquers All,” reveals the groups intention of holding nothing back in the speed department, hooking in the listener faster than Leather Face securing his lunch.

DISMEMBER has never sought to be the fastest band, but they have always included plenty of fast passages. Their latest offering is perhaps their fastest album, many of the tracks going straight for the heart, not relenting until their listeners are lifeless and lying in a pool of blood on the floor. “Under a Bloodred Sky,” “Legion” and “The Hills Have Eyes” all move at a sweltering quick pace. Much of their energetic boost most likely came along with Thomas Daun, who plays a similar style to founding member and constant skin basher Fred Estby, although Daun is younger and more technical.

Speed is nothing new in the area of death metal, which is largely why DISMEMBER has separated itself from the legion of cookie-monster-vocal-spewing clones. A DISMEMBER album is one part brutality, one part speed, and one part melody. “Europa Burns” and “No Honor in Death” crawl along with a sticky coat of sludge. Tracks like these step down the pace allow the guitarists to outline their abysmal tones. “Tides of Blood” reflects their interest in true heavy metal grooves and exquisite leads.

DISMEMBER is best when they combine melody, speed and fat, ringing tones. For example, “Blood Red Sky” begins with a fearsome attack of speed. The drums constantly pound even when the guitar slowly rings. As the speed continues, each guitarist adds a bit of flavor with simple melodies. Near the end of the track, the two guitarists trade off scale-heavy leads. The finale comes with both guitarists trying to out Maiden the other with classic guitar harmonies.

Twenty years have passed since the birth of DISMEMBER. Since that time, the band has aged and fresher, faster groups have joined the death metal massacre. DISMEMBER does not seem shaken by the element of time or the prospect of being out done by newcomers. With their latest album (of no title) they have stuck to their guns, reminding the death metal community exactly why this group originally turned the metal world upside down.

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1. Death Conquers All
2. Europa Burns
3. Under A Bloodred Sky
4. The Hills Have Eyes
5. Legion
6. Tide of Blood
7. Combat Fatigue
8. No Honour In Death
9. To End It All
10. Dark Depth
11. Black Sun
Total playing time 42:36

Line-up

Matti Kärki – Vocals
David Blomqvist – Guitars
Martin Persson – Guitars
Tobias Christiansson – Bass
Thomas Daun – live drums