Sweden’s Vomitory has a brand of Death Metal that is very un-Swedish.  With more blasts, grinds and grooves than melody, Vomitory doesn’t have too many domestic peers.  When Metal Blade erroneously decided not to release their 2009 Carnage Euphoria in the States, it must have been out of fear that it could be viewed as better than the Cannibal Corpse disc.  Well, it was.  Two years later, Vomitory’s eighth album, Opus Mortis VIII, shows the band hasn’t skimped on unleashing brutal sonic beatings. Thankfully Metal Blade wised up and didn’t short change the US out of another tremendous Vomitory disc.

Opener “Regorge in the Morgue” unloads a great gurgling bass groove before exploding into pure skull pulping Death Metal.  Vocalist/bassist Erik Runqvist vomits out the gory lyrics while the Gustafasson brothers hold down the riffs and the beat while guitarist Peter Ostlund spits out a quick solo.   Since Ostlund joined with 2007’s spectacular Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize, Vomitory has had a bit of melody return to their grinding Death Metal.  “Bloodstainded” lets that melody creep in, but the brutality is not diminished a bit.  The song at channels Cannibal Copse and Dismember at the same time and Ostlund’s soloing is pretty snazzy.

Things slow down a bit with the groove-based and mid-paced “They Will Burn.”  Built on chunky riffing, the track still has a vicious bite and the twin-leads and melodies make for a gruesome touch.   “The Dead Awaken” also makes decent use of the slower pace to really hit hard with some crunchy riffs before finally deciding to get back up to the usual speed for the band.  The clean picking start of “Hate in a Time of War” shows a momentary softer side for the band as they successfully add some nice atmosphere to their barbaric brand.  The track also continues the formula of lurching in the beginning before taking off with a vicious assault.

“Torturous Ingenious” grinds skulls into a nice paste and even when it rips off Slayer’s “Angel of Death” in spots, it makes for a vicious masterpiece. Like the previous track, “Forever Damned” proves Vomitory is up to full speed again. Some slightly playful Grindcore-styled riffs and a hustling pace give the track some serious personality. But then “Shrouded in Darkness” arrives with haunting melody and grinding Doom-drenched riffs.  Vomitory gets rather complex here and it is a nice change of pace when before “Combat Psychosis” finds the band channeling Bolt Thrower.  The track does pick up the pace in a few spots but the weight and aggressiveness of the riffs makes for a rather bellicose moment that would put Hail of Bullets in their place. “Requiem for the Fallen” closes the album with a salvo of huge riffs and raging blasts.

While not as vicious as Carnage Euphoria, Vomitory shows that they also sound gruesomely grand slowing it down just a bit.  The slightly tweaked aspects make for a nice change of pace (literally).  But that doesn’t mean Vomitory turned into Candlemass either.  This is still gore-drenched, brutally charged Death Metal.  Fans of Vomitory will not only be pleased by Opus Mortis VIII, but those that dig Hail of Bullets, Grave or Bloodbath need to start paying attention.  Opus Mortis VIII is a great place to start.

Note:  There is a limited edition of Opus Mortis VIII with re-recordings of material from the bands first two albums.  Both 1996’s Raped in Their Own Blood and 1999’s Redemption are out of print and quite costly to obtain in 2011.  At the time of this review it is unclear if the limited edition will cost more, but it might be worth it to fans who have not heard that material.  Don’t worry, the tracks won’t distract from the regular track listing of Opus Mortis VIII at all.

TRACK LISTING

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

1.  Regorge in the Morgue
2.  Bloodstained
3.  They Will Burn
4.  The Dead Awaken
5.  Hate in a Time of War
6.  Torturous Ingenious
7.  Forever Damned
8.  Shrouded in Darkness
9.  Combat Psychosis
10.  Requiem for the Fallen

Total playing time:  36:24

Release Date: April 26, 2011
Label: Metal Blade Records

Vomitory - Opus Mortis VIII

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

April 23, 2011