Some good time old school death metal fun…
Review by Raymond Westland
Bloodbath revolves around a core of (former) Katatonia and Opeth members with a mutual appreciation for extreme metal. The band has a somewhat open door policy when it comes down to singers, so it’s comes as no surprise they’ve recruited yet another vocalist for their latest offering, entitled Grand Morbid Funeral. However, hearing Nick Holmes (Paradise Lost) belting out grunts and growls again like he did in the old PL days is quite a surprise to say the least.
Old Nick, as he styles himself within the Bloodbath pantheon, has some big boots to fill considering the pedigree of his illustrious predecessors. However, he manages to hold his own and his trademark barks are a breath of fresh air considering that most death metal vocalists really sound alike. Speaking of which, Grand Morbid Funeral is the first release within the death metal genre which manages to keep me interested for longer than five minutes, before getting bored with the generic nature of it all. That’s because Bloodbath writes actual songs with a head and a tail, instead of endless piles of riffs alternated by endless blast beats and whatnot.
There you have it. Bloodbath writes actual songs with plenty of variety between them. For instance, ‘Let The Stillborn Come To Me’ and ‘Famine Of God’s Word’ are fast paced scorchers delivered with all the death metal aplomb one could wish for, but there’s also room for more doom/death metal type of tracks, often reminiscent of old Paradise Lost, with ‘Church Of Vastitas’ and the title track being the most poignant examples. Sweeping Slayer-esque solos, memorable riffs and some tasty old school death metal grooves, it’s all there on Grand Morbid Funeral. It’s also heartening to notice that drummer Martin Axenrot (Opeth) is still able to play this kind of music as he aptly demonstrates on ‘Mental Abortion’ and ‘His Infernal Necropsy’.
Grand Morbid Funeral ticks all the right boxes and all the typical old school death metal references are all there. However, what makes this album such an enjoyable listen is just the attitude and downright fun the music is delivered with. Bloodbath is a great outlet to have some good time old school death metal fun. This album is the direct result of this. I simply love it!
8.5 out of 10
Track Listing:
- Let The Stillborn Come To Me
- Total Death Exhumed
- Anne
- Church Of Vastitas
- Famine Of God’s Word
- Mental Abortion
- Beyond Cremation
- His Infernal Necropsy
- Unite In Pain
- My Torturer
- Grand Morbid Funeral
