On disc: Asphyx

 
 On The Wings Of Inferno
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Death... The Brutal Way
 
- Mike Thompson -
 
 

Death... The Brutal Way

(Century Media - 2009)



 
 

 

The Dutch death metal legends, Asphyx, returned in 2009 with their first album in nine years and a very special re-addition to the ranks – Hail Of Bullets and former-Pestilence frontman Martin van Drunen on vocals for the first time since 1992's Last One On Earth album!

Death... The Brutal Way as a title is a real statement of intent from this band and this is shown from the very first song, Scorbutics, which is undoubtedly one of the best opening tracks I've heard on any album. There is no subtlety here. The guitars just hit you with the force of a sledgehammer whilst van Drunen does his best to flay the flesh from your bones with his incredibly hoarse and unique rasping growl.

The rest of the songs follow suit, although none truly matching the impact of Scorbutics, with great riffs and good playing throughout the album. This is a band that knows how to write awesome death metal by combining plodding and crushing doom riffs with thrashy tempo changes. Stand out tracks in my opinion are Scorbutics, Death The Brutal Way, Eisenbahnmörser and the instrumental outro track Riflegun Redeemer. On saying that, every song is a great example of how death metal should sound. By far my favorite Asphyx album!

 
 










Mike Thompson 


  
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On The Wings Of Inferno

(Century Media - 2000)



 
 

 

The Dutch trio was founded back in 1987 and only the spot of singer / bassist changed several times, but that's the only thing. Asphyx are still playing old school death metal. With their 6th full-length album the Dutch death metallers fighting against trends and modern death metal! The play stuff in the tradition of the kings of death metal... In the tradition of bands which inspired them like Venom, Hellhammer, Possessed, Messiah and Death!

The opening track is unusually long for a death metal track... Do they get away from old school death? No f***ing way! It's just like taking the chance to leave the traditional way with­out betraying the tradition of their faves! In the past the band offered several solid death metal albums, but this is their masterpiece! There is only one thing to mention... It's too short, just about 30 min.! Okay, better 30 min. of the best than an hour of bullshit, but....
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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