Thursday, July 10, 2025

Gravewurm "Blood of the Pentagram" (Old Review)

Using the Internet Wayback Machine, I was able to cull a few of my old reviews on the old Ominous Vomit site for use here! Enjoy.


Gravewurm Blood of the Pentagram

2010 Hells Headbangers

5/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS

Rarely can I say that I know exactly what I am in for when I first listen to an album.  Even Cannibal Corpse surprises me with their newfound ultra-technical leanings.  However, there are a few bands that I can honestly say put out the exact thing I expect them to, and Gravewurm is one of them.  Do not mistake:  this is a good thing.  I love when I can buy a record and I get exactly what I expect.  Not every band is that consistent or loyal to their following.  What Gravewurm offers up on this, their final record, after twenty years of existence, is simple, bare-bones, black/death the old way.  Think old Sodom, old Varathron, and NunSlaughter.  I respect the amount of time these blokes have spent in the underground and the faithful following they've built up.  That said, I have a few complaints.  The drum machine.  I hate it.  Period.  It's very samey-sounding from song to song, and without a ton of variation in the riff-work on the guitar, I found myself periodically bored.  Also, the vocals have never typically been a high point for me with these guys.  I've never been a fan of the approach the vocalist takes, as he's very breathy and raspy, rather than powerful.  Just not my thing, and it sounds a bit weak.  A few songs really shine, like the title track, which kept me hooked and definitely won me over, but for the most part, this one is forgettable, much like most of their back catalog.  Trust me, it'll be kept around the house for those few tracks that I loved, but it's not something I'm rushing out to get immediately in my favorite format, vinyl.  Get it if you dig these guys, don't if you don't.  Simple as that.


No comments:

Post a Comment