The Prophecy

Supposedly on hiatus since 2000 (after the death of Agung, the previous vocalist), Death Vomit, one of Indonesian brutal death metal pioneers, finally released their new album, titled "The Prophecy" and released on both cassette tape and CD (the latter one being "enhanced", as detailed on the back cover), with their new vocalist (and guitarist), Sofyan Hadi.

Of course, Death Vomit have now sounded very different than before, showing the maturation of the band's composition and songwriting. Also, compared to Agung, Sofyan Hadi's guttural vocal is much more audible, because Death Vomit are also emphasizing the singing and lyrical themes, other than just brutal guttural vocal, drum play, guitar and bass riffs. The songs here aren't just brutal, but also quite emotional. However, the theme, "The Prophecy", just doesn't really fit the songs, as of all 9 songs, only 2 that have such a spiritual-themed lyrical themes, "Summon Infernal Spirit" and "At Your Dying Faith" (and I'm sure, some people just could mistake the theme as blasphemy).

The songs can't be called brutal, neither can they be considered technical. This also shows that Death Vomit are able to balance brutal death metal and technical death metal. The drum play, unlike most Indonesian brutal death metal bands, does not overrun the entire song, even though the drummer, Roy Agus, still keeps the drum play brutal. However, the vocals DO overrun the songs, making them less enjoyable for those who prefer guitar and bass riffs and solo, even though there are some times where the guitar and bass riffs are more listenable (for example, in "At Your Dying Faith", which I think the guitar solo is more to thrash metal).

Nevertheless, Death Vomit just happen to be the different of the different. Their music composition might be more emotional than moody, but this is what makes Xenophobe Records, an Australian label become interested in signing Death Vomit as their roster, right after Burgerkill, the infamous Indonesian metalcore band, went out from the label.