ALBUM REVIEW: Fossilization – Advent Of Wounds

Brazilian doomed death metallers Fossilization are back with their second album. Out via Everlasting Spew Records on February 13th.

Convulsive guitars and hammering drums spew into existence with no introduction nor warning. This is death metal ferocity that does not waste time. Guttural vocals add their spectral incantations atop the waves of visceral instruments for maximum extremity with a lurking, monolithic and charnel atmosphere enveloping the entirety of the band. Flaring dissonance contrasts the meaty hooks of slow, lumbering riffs and continues to add dynamics to the barbaric music; giving a strong first impression. Having really enjoyed the band’s body of work thus far, I have a lot of expectations from this record and I am curious to see if their streak of savagery will continue to appease my ravenous appetite for quality underground metal or will they drop the ball? From the blend of tremolo picking and blast-beats to the more creepy sections to full on hammering primitive violence; there are all of the hallmarks of some crushing death metal and the consistency of everyone’s performance is undeniable. This is a band who have spent a lot of time touring, released enough music and played together enough to hone their sound into what they envision. Certainly a ferocious first impression for “Advent of Wounds”.

Scalding sepulchral death metal continues to erupt with that fantastically executed blend of extremity and atmosphere while both sides of the coin hold the eldritch spirits in high regard and ensures no section loses its impact. Those more doomy moments give a strong juxtaposition to the blasting sections and yet feel no less intense, offering a sense of dread to the juggernaut of morbidity that the album is building. Fossilization are always pumping forth a maelstrom of tension and aggression that seems to change on a very precise basis to give a sense of volatility to the music while never being haphazard in doing so. The way a riff will jump into a spasming pattern further fuels the furnaces of disquiet that the record comfortably plays with. Definitely continuing from its predecessor, the blend of gloom, malice and eeriness is superbly balanced to concoct a fetid brew of death metal that will certainly appeal to most subterranean metal fans. Fossilization have built quite a name for themselves and earned a loyal underground following their their EP, split and debut LP; something I can see continuing to grow with this album and their equally noteworthy efforts taking their music on the road.

Another monolith of decaying death metal from Fossilization. Continuing to harness rabid fury, ghostly doom and moments of unwieldy tension; this is a fearsome offering indeed. Consuming all in their inferno of darkness, the void of macabre music will swallow you once opened and the relatively short but certainly not lacking record will have you possessed for its duration. Pre-existing fans will certainly enjoy this new opus and newcomers will likely find a death metal band that grips them. With exciting pacing, extremely tight musicianship and a deathlike atmosphere from start to end; “Advent of Wounds” is another triumph from this Brazilian outfit. Walking in the footsteps of Dead Congregation, Cruciamentum and the like but with a flare of their own; this duo continues to conquer.