Death Hammer is the debut album from UK extreme metallers Flayed Disciple, a release which might not venture into new pastures with the impressive thrash fuelled death metal it and the band unleash upon the ear, but one which leaves demands and expectations not only fully satisfied but basking in accomplished invigorating splendour. Released via Grindscene Records, the album is a rabid storm of debilitating rhythms, carnivorous riffs, and devouring intensity which endorses why the band is garnering strong acclaim.
Formed in 209, the Taunton quintet of vocalist Tim Whyte, guitarists Thurston Howe and Jon Whitfield (lead and rhythms respectively), bassist Paul Williams, and drummer Phil Tolfree, has earned great respect through their earlier release the Drawn Viscera EP of 2009 and live performances which have seen them play prestigious festivals such as The Neurotic Deathfest and Bloodstock, as well as numerous shows around the UK alongside bands like Cerebral Bore and Aeon. The tail of last year saw the band sign with Grindscene Records leading to the recording of their first album with producer Chris Fielding this past February.
Stalking the same extreme realms as the likes of Cannibal Corpse, Immolation, Deicide, and Exodus, the five piece rampage with constant brutality and skill from the first note of the album to its very last. Their fusion of thrash and death metal leaves a blissful carcass in its wake, a breathless collection of senses which whilst not treated to majorly new invention is lost to a towering and magnificent tempest of aggression and creative intensity. It is high grade destructive metal, carnal rock n roll which constantly and deeply rewards whilst simultaneously sapping the strength from its recipients.
The album begins its unleashing of spiteful corrosive energies with Bring Down The Hammer, an ear chewing stomp of ravenous riffs, crippling rhythms, and sound bites submerged within the brawling weight of energy. It is an initial confrontation softening the senses for the tsunami of viciousness to come starting with The Westboro Massacre. The song plunders the body with the bone splintering violence of drummer Tolfree lashing out from the midst of the squalling sonic display of the guitars as well as their ravishing riffs. The guttural growls of Whyte are bestial in the extreme but offer clarity to grasp and be impacted by the lyrical strikes as forcibly as the crushing sounds. It is an intensive start which just inspires the need to dive into the heart of the album.
Interceptor and Feast In The Forest Of Impaled Bodies conjure up the blackened sonic devil next, both carrying veins of sadistic brooding malevolence which erodes the senses as the thrash urgency and persistence batters and saps the flesh. They complete their bruising with aggressive layers and unmistakable craft of the band deliberately placed to work on the already sore and merciless wounds caused by the release. It is a masterful display commanding only respect and praise which excels throughout the whole of the album.
Exodus is another terrific violation drawing only acclaim and just one of the continuous highlights offered, though all fall to the towering might of The Shrine Of Dahmer. The track is a colossus amongst giants and one which is merciless in its destructive intent and venomous breath. Completely infectious without losing its intimidation, the song is a riot of imaginative butchery and compelling invention.
The remaining quartet of songs are all equal to the previous triumphs, Bleaching In The Sun and Torsofucked rasping incursions of nastiness especially the latter of the pair, and the closing Ejaculate While Killing and Pig sheer maliciousness, the first through inspired sonic mastery of the guitars and the last just because it is pure evil in all aspects.
Death Hammer is an excellent album which all metal fans will take to their shadowed bosoms once entering its grievous annihilation. Flayed Disciple maybe have yet to find a unique voice to their unadulterated murderous creativity but the album show it hardly holds them back from being a notable entrant in extreme metal.
RingMaster 11/12/2012
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