Goatwhore have well and truly established themselves as a consistent, well-oiled recording and touring metal machine, with an impressive output of six albums in fourteen years (despite singer Benjamin Falgoust’s involvement as shrieker with fellow NOLA extreme metallers, Soilent Green). Constricting Rage of the Merciless is their latest effort, and is another excellent addition to their back catalogue.

I guess one criticism that could be levelled at Goatwhore is the same of Slayer or AC/DC – they have an instantly recognizable sound, that to casual listeners might sound like it rarely deviates from the same path from the one the forged fourteen years ago. Yet they have evolved considerably – they tightened and polished themselves up for 2006’s A Haunting Curse with some sprinkings of (shock) progressive influences and 2009’s Carving out the Eyes of God showcased some of Sammy Duet’s most dexterous guitar playing of his life.

However, while I’d argue that like 2012’s Blood for the Master, Constricting Rage of the Merciless isn’t as great a jump as the two previously mentioned, it still has some interesting new ideas, as well as more of the signature blackened/death metal we know and love.

The punky, old-school feel of “Baring Teeth for Revolt” shows the bands more catchy side, with fist-pumping lyrical refrains and a great chorus, with the kind of pedal point riff that wouldn’t be out of place on a Judas Priest record. “Cold Earth Consumed in Dying Flesh” is a great slab of doom that is a decent tempo changer, and has a neat little acoustic intro, again something Goatwhore had yet to utilize extensively on previous records. However, my highlight would be “Unravelling Paradise”, which is the reason I fell for this band – relentlessly angry, intense as hell, and cleverly written music. If those three things appeal to you, then I suggest you check this out.

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments