So here is album number two from the UK’s Trigger the Bloodshed who along with the likes of Sarpanitum, Detrimentium, Man Must Die (and since, Ignominious Incarceration) have recently resurrected the British death metal scene and with a slight line- up change, Trigger the Bloodshed remain as technical and visceral as the debut.
Of course , if you though the debut was no more than a cheap Brain Drill or Origin knock off, that wont change as Max Blunos is still an absolutely Jon Longstreth like dervish behind the kit, though the songs are a bit longer (though still generally between 3-4 minutes) than the debut and there is only one interlude. Johnny Burgan replaces Charlie Holmes on vocals and you won’t be able to tell off the get go, but after repeated listens he does have a little more presence and depth in his standard roar/scream. The production is again tight and punchy, though the drums could have been a little higher in the mix.
Song wise, Trigger the Bloodshed avoid any deathcore leanings by keeping at a blistering pace from start to finish, the tech is there but it’s not overdone as the balance between squealing, noodly tech and burly brutality is kept pretty well with tracks like the opening title track, “Sanctuary of the Wretched”, “Contemporary Perception Narcotics” and closer “Terminus”. There is not a hint of melody or a sweep solo in sight and when the band does slow down (“The Dead World” and standout “The Infliction of Tophet”) it’s far more of a classic death metal lope than any sort of breakdown or groove.
That all being said, The Great Depression while certainly one of the better death emtal albums of 2009, is going to have a hard time competing with the likes of Obscura, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Centaurus-A, and Ulcerate as far as tech death metal as there’s no real ‘wow’ moments or tracks that beg for repeated listens; it’s just a technical flurry of well done, competent death metal.
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I’ve been becoming more and more curious about this band. It seems like most of the reviews are really split on these guys, it’s either really positive or it’s considered crap.
Anyway I think I’m still on the fence. I liked the last Origin album alright, but endless speed just gets old after a while.
I also liked the Obscura album quite a bit, but it isn’t very memorable to me. The Centaurus-A was a nice surprise. To me it has what most of these “tech” bands don’t have. Heaviness. Most all these bands have stellar musicians in them, but when you get too noodle-y it loses a lot of the brutal factor that I like in my death metal.
on May 15th, 2009 at 12:53WHAT A FUCKING COINCIDENCE!! I’m listening to and reviewing this album RIGHT NOW! I like it quite a bit. It’s a little forgettable and Fleshgod Apocalypse blows it out of the water, but yeah this is definitely one of the best death metal tapes of the year so far.
on May 15th, 2009 at 22:01This one definitely has more heaviness than most “tech” bands. If that’s what you crave then you’ll probably be pleased.
on May 17th, 2009 at 00:31