Rough Edge: Serpent Obscene CD Reviews

SERPENT OBSCENE

"Serpent Obscene" (Necropolis; 2000)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

Here comes the backlash! With Swedish 'melodic death metal' having been all the rage for the last few years the backlash has begun. There's a new breed of Swedish bands performing old-school American death metal. Serpent Obscene's self-titled debut is loaded with pulverizing songs that are molded in the classic death metal style and tempered with cold, razor-sharp riffs that were quite the rage in the '80s.

Serpent Obscene's self-titled debut has a rushed feel to it, no doubt due to the music itself, but also due to the brief time given for the actual recording (recorded in only two days). One of the benefits of the rushed recording is the absolute viciousness found in these nine scalding tracks.

"Morbid Horror" is one of those songs that recalls what Entombed would sound like if they only played in the death metal style. "Pestilent Seed" brings a little thrash flavor to the mix while "Sadistic Abuse" has maximum intensity as its fuel. Quite often the guitars break for very fast yet still melodic lines that give each song something truly memorable.

If you like the old-school death metal sound, Serpent Obscene is just the band for you.

"Serpent Obscene" was produced by Serpent Obscene and engineered by Henrik Larsson.

Serpent Obscene is Erik Tormentor on vokills, Nicklas Eriksson and Johan Thorngren on guitars, Rob Rocker on bass, and Jonas Eriksson on drums.

For more information visit http://drink.to/serpent_obscene.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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