The cover art on Obsidian Mantra‘s 3rd album, As We All Will, may not scream “DEATH METAL!!!!”, instead having more of an Opeth-ian progressive metal vibe. However fair reader, as the old saying goes, ‘never judge a book by its cover’.

As We All Will is VERY much a death metal album. A death metal album of the Polish variety, and while they may not be a household name like Vader or Behemoth they should certainly garner a little more attention with this very succinct, bludgeoning album that hits all the death metal sweet spots with heft and confidence.

While not necessarily culling completely from their more recognizable Polish peers, there’s still definitely a mid-era Behemoth (i.e Zos Kia Cultus)/latter-era Decapitated powerful, groove-infused sound that also imbues the likes of Annihilated’s  XIII Steps to Ruination ( yeah that’s a decade-old reference.. i know) or a little Dyscarnate here that’s incredibly satisfying. That said there are still plenty of blast beats scattered around to satiate the blast-worshiping masses.

Vocalist/bassist Kacper Kajzderski has a commanding, authoritative bellow that’s one of my favorite death metal vocal styles, the guitars, bass, and drums have plenty of heft and girth that’s on display for most of the album’s 30-minute run time. Especially on burly, militant tracks like “Slave Without a Master”, “Condemned to Oppression”, “Chaos Will Consume Us All”, “Sowers of Discord” and “Wavers of Misery”. It is simple, powerful, and effective. And it gets the job done – if the job is banging your head.

A very pleasant under-the-radar Polish death metal surprise that really got my juices going. (ewwwww).

[Visit the band's website]

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