Reviewer: Garett

The Extra Dimensional Wound is Lightning Swords of Death’s second full length, and my first exposure to the band. Reading up on the band, I had most often seen their music referred to as black/thrash.  Given that description, I was initially surprised by the thick gravely guitar tone emanating from my speakers.  It certainly didn’t sound like most of the blackened thrash that I had heard; this sounded like death metal.  As the album continued, the band’s black metal roots began to expose themselves more and more.  The riffing, vocals, and overall structure of the songs draw heavily on established black metal traditions. The band also manages to weave a good bit of thrash in; you just have to work a little bit to pick it out. 

So what about that death metal that I was talking about?  To be honest, it appears to be more of a vibe created by the guitar tone and the way that the album is produced, rather than an actual influence on the song writing.  Still, black and death metal have always shared a good deal of common ground, and it is easy to see some of the material here fitting in well on a death metal album. 

I really enjoyed the sound of the album, and I like how Lightning Swords of Death manage to blur the lines between black, death and thrash metal.   Where the band stumbles a bit is in the song writing department.  Not that any of these songs are bad, there just aren’t any that really stick out.  There is a good bit of variety, with up tempo rippers like “Nihilistic Stench” and “Invoke the Desolate One” being balanced by the almost martial cadence of “Damnation Pentastrike“, and the slow crawling groove of  “Venter of the Black Beast.”  “Venter of the Black Beast” is probably the album’s finest moment.  It has a very ominous feel, and features some nicely placed guitar leads that work well to offset the slower main riff. The Extra Dimensional Wound contains several good songs, it simply lacks the one or two great songs that could have put it over the top.

The Extra Dimensional Wound is a solid album, and should generate a positive buzz for the band.  What Lightning Swords of Death will need to do is back this thing up with strong live performances, and hone their song writing skills just a bit.  This is a good album though, and fans of the style should at least give The Extra Dimensional Wound a listen.  There really isn’t a bad moment or a misstep to be found on this album, and if nothing else, the sound of the album is pretty unique for the style.

Release Date: May 25th 2010
Label: Metal Blade Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  The Extra Dimensional Wound
2.  Nihilistic Stench
3.  Invoke the Desolate One
4.  Zwartgallig
5.  Damnation Pentastrike
6.  Venter of the Black Beast
7.  Vorticating Into Scars
8.  Paths to Chaos

Total playing time:  44:08

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Lightning Swords of Death - The Extra Dimensional Wound

November 17, 2010