On Pestilent Winds...

Excoriate are a band that has definitely had some staying power in my rotation since this album's release. On Pestilent Winds is a record that, from front to back, is full of the palpable old school atmosphere that metal of this persuasion requires.

The production has the guitars erring a little on the swedish side in terms of how fuzzed out the highs are, however the tone remains razor sharp without becoming too blown out. This helps deliver all of their breakneck speed riffing without losing any of the intensity. The vocals are extremely cavernous, and I might add that Stefan does a pretty damn good Martin van Drunen impression. The drums have just the right amount of reverb to keep everything tight sounding but allowing the cymbals to wash everything out just enough.

The album opens up with a baleful intro, building a sense of dread that fades into complete rage as the first riff of "Voice of Damnation" comes crashing down upon your skull to make your head bang! Then it's underway, you are being eviscerated by pure morbid death metal. Riffs spiral in and out of control over old school chops, thankfully, with the blasts reserved for when they are most effective and not abused like some cheap trick.

One of the main highlights of this record is when the band slows down during the opening of '. . . From Morbid Ruins' to dredge up the true morbid feeling. The leads have a dreamy, yet epic quality to them that is definitely a palate cleanser from the non-stop onslaught of the first song before they plunge you headfirst back into the fiery maelstrom that comprises the rest of this song.

As the album reaches its midway point, there's a Sepultura cover to bring you back to reality for a while. Might I add, they did a pretty good job with the drumming on this track.

'On Pestilent Winds' is written in a way that is firmly rooted in tradition. Here you won't find much in the way of sweeping guitar acrobatics or well-thought out segues, but you will find riff after riff of unadulterated old school death fuckin' metal that goes for the throat.