My Own Grave - Necrology

September 3, 2009

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

With a name like My Own Grave, it's easy to dismiss the band as being another tired and uncreative Deathcore band.  This is not the case.  My Own Grave is the antithesis of Deathcore and even with their melodic slant; the band has more in common with Vomitory than some trendy 'core crap. In fact, Melodic Death Metal may have never been this brutal before.

While "Awaiting Death" is an intro, the assault starts with the face-peeling title track. Walls of vicious riffs and sickening speed collide with Dissection-like melodies and one of the best growls since Jor was singing for Grave. Vocalist Mikael Aronsson has one of the most guttural and clear vocal deliveries ever heard.  "Hail the Blind" keeps up the marvelous might while "None Shall See" even channels a bit of Black Metal before truly settling into to a gargantuan grooves. An air-raid siren starts off the bellicose "Disciples of War" and the band slows down a bit, almost channeling Bolt Thrower, before exploding in to a melodic yet blasting fit. The song shows a lot of maturity and the great ability to work with a variety of tempos without skimping on the heaviness. "Cerecloth" features some truly impressive riff hysterics from  Anders Härén and Stefan Kihlgren while "Bloodline Broken" just goes for the jugular with its relentless riffs and speed. The twin leads on "Exhumed to Be Buried" almost seems too melodic for the assaultive slant of the song. Necks will snap and skulls will be pulped by the simply awesome "Age of Torment." With heaps of groove, terrifying aggression and some great leads the song shows off just how awesome My Own Grave is. Necrology closes with "Incineration" that launches into another grinding attack that is just as lethal as when the album's opening track.

While My Own Grave isn't doing anything new, they are doing everything right. This is 35 minutes of top shelf, crushing chaos and flawless in its delivery and production. A lot of this material has been heard before by several other bands but the stars align here. Plain and simple; Necrology slays. There isn't a weak moment on the disc. It's a short but oh-so sweet lethal dose of some of the best and most brutal Melodic Death Metal ever recorded. Fans of bands like Vomitory and Unleashed need to pay attention. Highly recommended.

Release Date: July 20th, 2009
Label: Pulverised Records

TRACK LISTING

1. Awaiting Death
2. Necrology
3. Hail the Blind
4. None Shall See
5. Disciples of War
6. Cerecloth
7. Bloodline Broken
8. Exhumed to Be Buried
9. Age of Torment
10. Carnal Revelations
11. Incineration

Total playing time:  35:54