ALBUM REVIEW: Paganizer – The Tower Of The Morbid

Here I review the brand new album from Swedish Death Metal legends PAGANIZER! Set for release via Transcending Obscurity Records on November 1st.

Opening with an air raid siren before smashing drums and gnarly guitar riffs drop like a bomb to offer up slices of slashing Swedish Death Metal groove to back up a fierce vocal assault, tormenting with a new level of extremity from the band that does not waste time in getting right down to some truly impeccable music. The whiplash speeds of the beginning do not need any type of build up, taking the option of decimating away any weaker ears with marvellously intense instrumentals though using some mid-tempo riffs to space out the sound. The opening track features some gorgeously haunting lead work too, really completing the tone of the record beautifully. Continuing how they set off, the full band give a ripping performance that offers slab after slab of obliterating heaviness with cutting bass and guitar grooves over intricately punchy drums and accompanied by spewed vocals, all the while keeping up this storming upbeat inferno of HM-2 fuelled grinding Metal. It is clear very quickly that the album is going to be nothing short of exciting throughout, while offering a succulent blend of catchy hooks, blistering lead work and snarls that keeps you on your toes. The heavyweight chugging of slamming riffs stays punctual bringing further waves of devastation with a ground-shaking rumble of putrid aggression from the whole band. The slow and mid tempo sections nicely add that 90s feel bringing to mind bands like Bolt Thrower and Obituary but with the savagery of DISMEMBER or ENTOMBED as one would expect from the Swedes. For those wondering where the term “Chainsaw Death Metal” comes from and why it exists, this is one of those albums that could answer both questions with any given cross-section of grisly morbidity. The band include some real variety with tracks like “They Came To Die” having an almost AMON AMARTH feel before driving into the searing extremities of “Rot Spreads” which whips into shape with a ripping bombardment of fast-paced grooves and blast beats before dropping some slower doomy riffs and melodic shreds, you certainly cannot call this album predictable. With a perfect blend of ferocious musicianship, macabre lyrics, filthy production and a head-strong work ethic, PAGANIZER deliver “Swedeath” of the highest quality that demands respect. While for me “Land Of Weeping Souls” had some much more catchy sections and transcends between tracks more fluidly, that does not stop this being an excellent follow-up that holds my attention throughout with its more primitive, high-octane pacing and headbanger friends ripping blasts. The track “Beneath The Gauze” is by far my favourite from this album with its cacophony of riptide aggression and even some more Death-Doom style breaks, giving the true crawling feel of “Swedeath” in such an impressive manner with stunningly grotesque execution. I think that this record is still unmissable for Swedish Death Metal fans who want new material from a consistently strong band whom hold the sacred sound of their predecessors tightly in their core while keeping things fresh, new, bold and gloriously extreme, this time with a heightened sense of melody added to the mix too. An intimidatingly crushing release from the new Swedish masters. -8/10