Germany’s Revel in Flesh, have been one of my favorite death metal albums for quite some time.  Their 3^rd album, Death Kult Legions was their best album and so they return a few years later to leave many other bands, in the dust, once again with Emissary of All Plagues.  With Dan Swano, at Unisound Studios, once again taking care of the production values, you know this is a winner.  For readers who are unfamiliar with Revel in Flesh, their sound is influenced from the Swedish brutality of early Entombed, Grave and Dismember, even throwing in some Edge of Sanity moments.  Still, Revel in Flesh retain an original quality, due to songwriting skills, atmosphere and riffs which are new to the death metal scene.

Opening with the title track, Revel in Flesh, wastes no time in reminding the listener that this is some of the finest, bone-crunching death metal being played today.  Vocalist, Ralf Hauber turns in his best performance, yet, with an extra deep and gruff approach, incorporating some higher registers, all the while remaining powerful and extra devilishly angry on this song and album.  The song opens with a classic Swedish fast beat and you will think to yourself, damn, I though the debut from Demonbreed, this year, had the finest Swedish inspired guitar tone, and you would be correct, if you have not listened to Emissary of All Plagues.  The guitar tone is so goddamned heavy, but distinguishable among all the other instruments, it will take your lifeless breath away.  Pretty soon the title track slaps you upside the head with a well-placed blast beat and your body is quivering in a mass of vomit, filth and excrement.  “Casket Ride” comes in next, more of a mid-paced song, incorporating fiendish double bass, which is chest-collapsing and a catchy chorus.

“Fortress of Gloom” is next up on the chopping block, with one of the catchiest, atmospheric and depressing opening riffs of any death metal song, you will hear.  This song is slower, grinding the listener into pulp, doing it all the while with class.  This song is a continuation of some of the elements Revel in Flesh experimented with on their last recording.  Allowing the song to breathe more the listener will realize the emotive nature of what Revel in Flesh are attempting to accomplish, with this style.  “Fortress of Gloom” is catchy, dark, depressing and utterly brilliant.  Faster paced songs are also splattered around, with “Lord of Flesh” and “Sepulchral Passage” crushing beyond belief, with blast beats, riffs to die for and Ralf growling as if he is trying to take your soul from you.  Ending with a classic metal song cover, “Doctor Doctor”, how could you possibly not want this album??

The production on this record is of the highest caliber, resulting in the massive guitar tone, audible bass, drums biting through and not overpowering and Ralf’s vocals mixed in quite well and not drowned out, which is sometimes common for this genre of death metal.  The songwriting is strong with all members turning in their best performances and while creating brutal music, also remembering to incorporate enough catchy moments and really driving home excellent song, after excellent song.

The album cover is once again killer and the tones of light, red all come together nicely.  Emissary of All Plagues is one of the highlights for 2016, if you were terrible this year, then no stocking stuffer for you and you must fork over the money to buy this.  Like their FB page, order their merch, if you’re from their neck of the woods, go to their shows and buy their merch and don’t forget to tell them how much you appreciate their music.  Revel in Flesh have churned out their best album and simply, one fantastic death metal album.  Buy or get burned at the stake!!!!!!

 

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