Rough Edge: Vomitory CD Reviews

VOMITORY

"Primal Massacre" (Metal Blade; 2004)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

I'm not the biggest fan of death metal, but if I had a choice I'd choose Swedish death metal over most other forms of death metal pretty much every single time. As you can tell from my reviews of Vomitory's previous efforts ("Revelation Nausea" from 2000 and "Blood Rapture" from 2002) I have a slowly evolving appreciation for the primal Swedish death metal style.

What I've said before about "Revelation Nausea" and "Blood Rapture" is equally applicable to "Primal Massacre." Vomitory's brand of relentless old-school Swedish death metal hasn't let up at all. However, I've always considered "Revelation Nausea" and "Blood Rapture" to practically be carbon copies of each other, but I can say that a few more dynamic elements have been incorporated into the band's sound and approach on "Primal Massacre" which makes it a bit more distinctive.

If you liked Vomitory's previous efforts you won't be disappointed with "Primal Massacre." Also, fans of old-school death metal and Swedish death metal will drool at the prospect of listening to "Primal Massacre" as well.

"Primal Massacre" was produced by Henrik Larsson and Vomitory. Once again, the production job is crystal clear allowing every nuance of Vomitory's death metal mayhem to shine through.

Vomitory: Erik Rundqvist on vocals and bass, Urban Gustafsson on guitar, Ulf Dalegren on guitar, and Tobias Gustafsson on drums.

For more information visit http://www.vomitory.net.

"Blood Rapture" (Metal Blade; 2002)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

Vomitory's brand of true death metal is a take-no-prisoners approach that isn't for the meek. "Blood Rapture" continues Vomitory's relentless unearthing of old-style death metal with nine blistering songs and blast beats galore.

Since listening to and reviewing Vomitory's 2001 effort "Revelation Nausea" I've had the good fortune to become acquainted with bands like The Forsaken, The Haunted, Lock-Up, and early-era Entombed which has heightened my appreciation for the primal Swedish death metal sound. Additionally, Vomitory's execution is practically flawless and adds to the overall appeal of "Blood Rapture."

As I mentioned in my review of "Revelation Nausea" a little controlled chaos is good for the raw death metal style. "Blood Rapture" captures the same restrained fury featured on "Revelation Nausea" for a mix that rages without going completely haywire. Once again, like "Revelation Nausea," "Blood Rapture" does not need a track-by-track analysis as Vomitory's consistency borders on the remarkable. However, it is worth mentioning that some of the tracks have traded a bit of the band's trademark raw sound for the more polished fury of Amon Amarth.

The breadth of the lyrics is quite impressive on "Blood Rapture." Featured topics include environmental destruction ("Chaos Fury"), religion as an opiate ("Blessed And Forsaken"), the origins of terrorism ("Madness Prevails"), and the horrors of war ("Eternity Appears") are but a few of the diverse topics on "Blood Rapture."

"Blood Rapture" is an uncompromising trip into the death metal abyss. While heavy metal fans who prefer their music outside of the death metal genre might not be too impressed with "Blood Rapture," I can definitely say that any and all fans of death metal will want to have "Blood Rapture" in their CD collections.

"Blood Rapture" was produced by Vomitory and Henrik Larsson. The production job is stellar; I can almost hear the blood streaming down the walls of the mixing room.

Vomitory is Erik Rundquist on bass and vocals, Urban Gustafsson and Ulf Dalegren on guitar, and Tobias Gustafsson on drums.

For more information visit http://www.vomitory.net.

"Revelation Nausea" (Metal Blade; 2001)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

Severe case of head trauma got you down? Vomitory's "Revelation Nausea" is a cure for what ails you. "Revelation Nausea" is a non-stop barrage of break-neck paced Swedish death metal that stops for nothing. Only Vader can match Vomitory's penchant for inspired death metal riffing and sound, although I must admit Vomitory's riffing is a bit more in the classic death metal mold than Vader has ever been.

Although I might not be particularly enamored of the primal Swedish death metal style, I do know pros when I hear them. Vomitory have been shredding the metal world for nearly a decade now and it's not hard to see why. With a sound that is pure death metal to the maximum, Vomitory could show bands like Maze Of Torment, Centinex, and Serpent Obscene a few things about how to succeed in the music business.

The blast beats get a little tiresome, but that's what a lot of you want, isn't it? The riffing is solid and the songs are arranged to maximize the explosive power of the riffs with slower breakdowns from the maniacal pacing providing a brief yet enticing break. Vomitory are tight without being too technical or sterile - Vomitory don't forget that a little controlled chaos is good for death metal.

Individual tracks need not be mentioned here as the consistency from beginning to end is remarkable.

"Revelation Nausea" was produced by Henrik Larsson and Vomitory. The production is superb - clearly one of the best production efforts I've heard on a death metal album in years.

Vomitory: Ulf Dalegren on vocals, Urban Gustafsson on guitar, Erik Rundqvist on bass and vocals, and Tobias Gustafsson on drums.

For more information visit http://www.vomitory.net.

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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