Are you in the market for a band that has a classic death metal sound yet doesn't feel dated?  Do you like each song on an album to be distinct and to stick in your head long after you've pressed the stop button?  If so, Australia's Laceration Mantra may be the new band for you.

Laceration Mantra has a meat and potatoes style that is similar to bands like Kataklysm, Malevolent Creation, and Vader.  Each of the songs on the band's debut full-length, Prolonging the Pain, has its own distinct character and lyrics that cover more than the usual run-of-the-mill death metal themes.  Children born into terrorism, spousal abuse, and euthanasia are just a handful of the topics included.  The vocals deliver these ideas with power and conviction.  However, the vocal lines are often layered ala Glen Benton - a style that I'm not personally fond of - and in turn can sound somewhat sloppy or even off-time in spots.  The guitar playing is solid, especially in the solo department.  Almost all of the songs on Prolonging the Pain feature ripping melodic leads.  The riffs are usually quite impressive as well, but they would sound even better with a stronger rhythm guitar tone.  The drumming will also turn heads upon occasion such as in "Realisation" and in "Prolonging the Pain." 

Laceration Mantra is certainly no group of slouches in the realm of musicianship, and as mentioned previously, the strong song writing will leave the songs stuck in your head like a nasty tumor.  Really, the main thing that is keeping me from being one hundred percent into this album is its raw looseness.  Usually, that can be a cool thing that adds an undefinable quality to an album, but in this case it feels like the band needs to smooth out some rough edges.  I don't mean to be damning this album with faint praise.  It's a really good record.  It just seems like Laceration Mantra is only a few steps away from true greatness, yet it stays just barely out of reach on this album.  There is so much talent here that I know with a little more polish these guys could become a well-known name in some circles.  Despite its minor flaws, death metal freaks like myself will find plenty to enjoy on Prolonging the Pain - especially tunes like "Thrown to the Wolves," "The Global Straightjacket," and the title track.  Be that as it may, I can't completely recommend Prolonging the Pain to people who aren't total death metal die-hards. 

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Thrown to the Wolves
2.  Purveyors of Torment
3.  The Innermost
4.  Victims of Hate
5.  Realisation
6.  The Global Straightjacket
7.  Surreal Reality
8.  Prolonging the Pain
9.  Barney
10.  Blinders

Total playing time:  30:18

Release Date: March 25, 2011
Label: Obsidian Records

Laceration Mantra - Prolonging the Pain

Reviewer: Roswell47

July 2, 2011