Polish Blackened Thrash Metallers GALLOWER have their debut full length record out now. Promising barbaric extremity and violence, this is going to be a fast one.
Atmospheric synths start things off with an ancient and mystical feeling, a perfect beginning to an onslaught of Extreme Metal. Pounding drums and hellish riffs with chunky bass lines churn forth a superb blend of thrashy Black Metal with speeding ferocity unleashed from the onset with a maniacal howl. The debauchery and aggression permeating from the record is clearly going to make for a fantastically gripping listen. Soaring lead guitars add more atmospherics to the vicious rhythmic battery and give a classic Heavy Metal feel to the music. With a feeling akin to Nifelheim and early Bathory, I can tell this whole thing is going to sound huge, especially with the Deathhammer style squeals that always pack a nasty punch to break through the instrumental violence.
Blasting through crushing riffs and pulverising drums with a totally insane vocal performance, these maniacs deliver some mysteriously evil sounding Black-Thrash that is utterly marvellous. Primitive, caustic and volatile, the crazy nature of the genre is encapsulated gorgeously in the passionate and raw assaults conjured by Gallower. Aside from the raw production that gives it that old school feeling, the musicianship is actually incredibly tight with some excellent songwriting and a boldly visceral execution that will certainly leave an impact on those who discover this gem of the Polish underground. If, like me, you idolise and adore the very early Extreme Metal movements and breakthroughs where everything was a blur of fierce intensity, then revel in the fact Gallower brilliantly rekindle that sound in a modern setting yet never give so much as hint to the fact this record was made in the 21st century.
This is undeniably blasphemous and barbaric with the intensity of the Black Metal first wave as well as the mystique that came with it. The whole record feels like it could summon an ancient demon at any given moment. Alongside its savage aggression, there is a sleaziness to some of the riffs and punky drum beats that give some catchy and memorable additions to the venomous violations of the senses. This is some excellently balanced material that changes up plentifully, never stagnating or becoming boring. At 40 minutes, this is pretty long for its style but Gallower make sure to include a concise performance that keeps you on your toes while never deviating from the demonic Black-Thrash onslaught.
Evil, masterful and unforgettable. Gallower have the filth, destruction and passion of the late 80s Extreme Metal scene and vanquish all in their path with an endless stream of ferocious drums, marvellous riffs and hellish vocals. Everything about this album is violent and unrelenting, something that renders it difficult to flaw in all of its primal charm. If you need some fast and vicious Heavy Metal, then look no further. -8.5/10
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