ALBUM REVIEW: Holocaustum – In The Fields They Bled

Back in 2015, American Death Metallers HOLOCAUSTUM dropped their second album which has just been sent to me by the label who put it out (along with some other goodies that may appear on this blog, such as the previous review to this one). Out now via Dark Horizon Records.

Soaring guitars over meaty riffs with a slew of drum fills start us off with a classic Heavy Metal vibrancy before delving down into a cascade of guttural vocals and swampy instrumentals, purging through layers of brutality. There are some killer thrashy touches that bring up the energy of the album while keeping some really old school Death Metal destruction in the main focus at all times. The groove in this material is unrelenting which makes total headbanger fuel from the blistering extremity this band has to offer. The convulsive rhythmic blows are infectiously captivating and deliver a mighty punch along with the melodic lead work and crushing drum attacks. Vocally we get a nice range from the general roars to higher and lower register snarls which keep them in tow with the amount of instrumental diversity this band has to offer. Decimating any doubts about this band, the surging forcefulness of the record never dissipates more than it has to, keeping an unending stream of barbarity and tight musical prowess in the sights at all times and doing a marvellous job of transcending through a ferocious stream of fantastic pieces. Utterly crushing, this album may not be the most original one I have heard but it sure as hell drops the listener straight into oblivion. -7/10