Guys! Guys, you are not going to believe this.

Jonny Pettersson (Ashcloud, Berzerker Legion, Gods Forsaken, Heads for the Dead, Henry Kane, Human Harvest, Massacre, Monstrous, Nattravnen, Pale King, Rotpit, Syn:Drom, The Hangman’s Sorrow, Troikadon, Ursinne, Vholdghast, Wombbath, Wormveil)…

*catches breath*

… Has ANOTHER fucking band!

WHERE THE FUCK DOES THIS GUY GET THE TIME OF DAY?! In just the last two years, this dude has been a part of, if not solely responsible for like, a dozen releases or more. And Wombbath is releasing a new one before the end of the year! I do not get it. I like to consider myself somewhat of a productive person, BUT FUCK ME. This guy has zero chill.

This time around, Jonny is joined by guitarist Ludvig Johansson and drummer Jon Skare of Swedish thrash metal act Defiatory. In fact, this is really more of Johansson’s brainchild than anyone’s, being responsible for writing all of the music, on top of guitar and bass duties (Pattersson is only credited with lyrics and vocals). Together the trio is creating the kind of old school Death Metal that, if we’re being honest, you probably somewhat expect – taking cues both from their Swedish DM roots, as well as their American counterparts. Take Unleashed and Grave, add some Malevolent Creation, and throw in a dash of blasting Grind ala Nasum or Terrorizer, and you’re in the ballpark. Given the players involved, none of this is surprising. Then again, nor is it surprising how well it’s all put together.

Things definitely get off to a more Swedish DM-leaning start, with super-upbeat opener “March of the Gore Brigade” setting the scene as a sort of band theme song. It’s a short setup before launching into the blistering “A Wretched Taste,” which puts all of the band’s influences on display in a tight two-and-a-half minute package – a common theme found throughout this EP. No need to fear any of these songs overstaying their welcome; third track “And Army of the Re-Animated” is the longest track by far, and it’s still only clocking in at a modest 3:44. The band gets in, punches you in the mouth, and get out before you have time to get bored. Personally, I appreciate that kind of frugality, especially since it doesn’t seem to hold the band back from giving you plenty of variation in such small durations. Certainly credit plenty of that to Johansson’s ability to switch styles on a dime (including some nice solo work), but give lots of credit once again to Jonny Pattersson’s vocals deftly switching from bellowing growls to menacing shrieks that help avoid any monotony as well.

To be completely honest, I can understand if you don’t find yourself NEEDING another Jonny Pattersson project in your life. I even went into this a little fatigued and apprehensive. But certainly, a career as prolific as his has become should be celebrated, and it certainly wouldn’t be fair to write this project off just because I think the dude needs to chill the hell out. The good news is, I can appreciate the mindset that the band seems to be sticking to here: “We’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time.” And of course, the quality of musicianship here is nothing less than quality. So if you’re looking for a quick fix of high-octane old school Death Metal, Gore Brigade will most certainly do the trick, it just remains to be seen if they’ll develop into something work making a full meal out of.

[Visit the band's website]

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