Graves of the Archangels

My first review...and what better album to start than Graves of the Archangels? This album has made quite a mark in the death metal underground. I could start spouting terms such as "the new wave of old school" or early NYDM tribute/revival or whatever, but to be quite honest whether these frequently used terms fit Dead Congregation or not, this is an absolute top quality death metal release that could easily sit comfortably in any DM fans possession. I wouldn't call myself an elder on all things death metal, especially when it comes to the older stuff. Not to say that I don't enjoy the likes of Autopsy, Asphyx, Immolation and Incantation et al. but in all honesty this album is possibly the best DM album I have ever heard to date. I shit you not!

The opening track to GotA, "Martyrdoom", is a drawn out yet brilliantly crafted intro track.I don't think I've ever heard a better intro to an album! The creepy screeching and wailing of the guitars sailing on the back of thunderous drum rolls immediately conjures up a foreboding atmosphere, slowly building up to the face crusher that is the next track "Hostis Humani Generis". One of the first things that become apparent as the track goes on is the production. Holy fuck. The guitars shine through here, completely clear without sounding too overproduced or clinical. The tone just sounds earthy and heavy as fuck, with a huge fullness to it. The drum sound is also quite overpowering, but not in an over the top Nile-y kind of way. The drums sound very natural (bar the triggered double bass), especially the toms which actually sound like fucking war drums with their very deep booming sound. But anyway, I feel I am harping on about the production too much, its just a fucking great clear and definted death metal production.

The musicianship on this album isn't overly techincal. In my mind this is a good thing. It solely soars on the back of its riffs and structures. Jesus fucking Christ the riffs. Seriously, they're so fucking good. They all absolutely reek of a dirty morbid dungeon. The double bass infused tremolo riffing is tastefully placed without over-repitition, the almost evil chord progressions especially evoking a feeling of dread creeping under your skin. Self titled track "Graves of the Archangels" is a perfect shining example of this. The drumming, like the guitars, also aren't overly technical either. Thats not to say that it isn't fast. It is. There is more than enough double bass and blasting on this album to keep one satisfied. It seems however that the drums on this album aren't meant to impress or dazzle or anything, they just punish. They fucking punish you, allying with the guitars to hammer you with the huge sound of this album. I still found some of the beats fairly catchy though. I don't have much to say about the vocals, you could come up to me and tell me that they're boring and repititive. I wouldn't disagree but I would tell you to fuck off. This is death metal we're talking about here, the vocals on this album are atonal and monstrous sounding. A very deep grunt with alot of power.

There's really no point in going into a song by song analysis for this, I can only speak for this album as a whole as there are no weak points. It is a large melting pot of excellent heavy riffage, evil wailing guitars and guitar solos, hard hitting modern drumming and even some monk like mournful chanting thrown in. All this together summons forth the monstrous and absolutely morbid atmosphere that I love this album for. Graves of the Archangels is an evil creature who has arisen from the tombs and is an essential listen to any who like their death evil and occult sounding.

This is Dead Congregation, they're not trying the push the envelope of the genre, nor are they trying to sound ultra brootal or ultra troo. They are just taking death metal as we love it, and injecting it with their own atmosphere, feeling and passion. And what fucking passion they have. Feast this album upon your ears, you will not be disappointed.