DEEDS Of FLESH „Crown Of Souls”

Music: Brutal Death Metal
Duration: 42:41
Cool songs: Crown Of Souls, Medical Murder and the rest of the album.
Website: www.deedsofflesh.net

As those of you who have read my reviews before know, I have a bit of a thing for Deeds Of Flesh. A relationship that goes way back to their debut album proper in 1996 which left me wanting more and intrigued as to where they would go further down the line. Well, seven albums in and I am still hooked. The general sound of this album seems to be a mix of the best bits of their previous albums and then some.

One of the things I have always admired with DoF is their ability to write some of the sickest sounding riffs and this album is full of them. Just lend an ear to the main riff on Medical murder to see my point. They don’t sound like other bands’ riffs. They have a sound of their own which is unmistakably Deeds Of Flesh, maybe discordant is the word – I don’t know. They create an eerie atmosphere which is most effective when listening through headphones. Track 3 „Hammer Forged Blade” contains some excellent guitar work at 3:40 by changing the flow of things yet at the same time keeping it interesting.

On Crown of Souls, the drums are clearer than in the past, maybe due to the rawer guitar sound (which gives it the early DoF feel). They are devastating in their assault, especially the relentless double bass. However there is plenty of variation in the drumming and is another reason why this album is so good. Mike Hamilton has really found his feet if you’ll pardon the pun and has pulled off the display of a lifetime. Drums bore some people but what is the point of a death metal album if there is nothing there to drive it forward? Others may be content to listen to constant blastbeasts but not me. Fuck, just listen to the power of those double basses.

The lyrics are once again intelligently written and remind me of some of the stuff on „Inbreeding the Anthropophagi” and the cover art and tray artwork are excellent. DoF obviously take a great deal of pride in providing the whole package to their fans, something they have always done.

If this reviewn hasn’t already convinced you to buy this album, then there is not much else I can say to you. You are not all going to like it, that’s for sure, but if you already know the band or are slightly interested by what you have read here, then you should pick this up and hear for yourself the stunning brutality DoF have produced on their new album. Can’t wait for the DVD!

note: 9.5/ 10

Tracklist

1. Crown of Souls,
2. Medical Murder,
3. Hammer Forged Blade,
4. Forced Attrition,
5. This macabre fetish,
6. The Resurrected,
7. Incontestably evil,
8. Crimson Offering,
9. Caught Devouring.