With last year’s Savage Land, Exhumed main main Matt Harvey and basically his Chuck Schuldiner cover band Gruesome, delivered arguably the apex early Death worship album. But at the end of my review, I wondered how the band would follow Savage Land up. Would they still basically cover Death’s first 3 albums or would they move onto another Death era or even another seminal influence? Well here is your answer.

The EP is 6 songs that still worship early Death, complete with more Ed Repka artwork,  and maybe even focus even more on really early Death (Scream Bloody Gore) and Possessed’s two influential releases, Seven Churches and Beyond the Gates. These 6 songs seem much more raw, have of the solos and melody that defined Leprosy and Spiritual Healing. Also, the focus seems to be much more on original song writing. Whereas Savage Land’s songs were a few notes and chord progressions away from several Death songs from Leprosy and Spiritual Healing,  on Dimensions of Horror, I really can’t pin point any songs from Death that leap out in the material. And to be honest, that was part of the fun and allure of Savage Land, as each song was a mini version of name that tune, Death edition.

As a result, and if I’m being honest, these 6 songs simply are not as good as anything from Savage Land, so Harvey’s attempt at being a little less obvious and less ‘cover band-ish’ has resulted in 6 pretty average songs. That said, the old school must and increased Possessed influence will appease many and certainly is an honest homage with plenty of more thrashing ripping metal, even if a little more raw and a little less…’fun’? However, only the closing title track really captured my attention within the EP’s brief 19 minute run time. Maybe its because I’m not as familiar with Scream Bloody Gore and Possessed’s work as I am intimately familiar with the first 3 Death albums? Maybe there are plenty of nods hidden within the likes of “Raped By Darkness” and “Seven Doors”? I’m sure you guys will let me know…

Either way, Dimensions of Horror, despite a solid little release feels a little bit like a filler release and a step back from Savage Land, but I have no doubt Harvey and co. will deliver something great again with the next full length album.

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