2025 Iron Fortress Records (CD/CS)
ironfortressrecords.com
9/10 CRUSHED FUCKING SKULLS
Italy's Blood Offer give us thrashing death metal in the classic style, not unlike Death, Massacre, Mortuary (Mex), or Demolition Hammer, even Nunslaughter. I do perhaps hear a hint of the Australian sound, too, like Nocturnal Graves. Whatever the case, this could have come from the steaming swamps of Florida in the 1990s and stood tall. Hooks abound, especially when they switch from one technically proficient riff to another. There are tiny little musical flourishes everywhere on this record that really grab your attention. The drummer especially stands out, anchoring the entire performance, and he has personality to his playing, which is unusual in death metal. The tempo changes often make the songs, and the little stop/start moments in some of these songs are fucking killer. I like the use of reverb on the vocals, it makes for a totally occult feel, and the singer's delivery is both powerful and rhythmic, which I prefer to anything else. When these guys slow into a groove they make sure to take our heads with them, firmly decapitating us with headbanging power. The biggest takeaway: these guys can write a fuckin' song, and each song is distinct. That's how real death metal is made. Iron Fortress has found yet another young band doing things the right way, and are quickly becoming one of my go-to labels for finding great stuff.
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