Shrapnel Storm

After the latest two releases which have been kind of different Great Dane Records are back with a 100 % pure old school death metal banger. Shrapnel Storm are a band from Finland, and despite having already been formed in 2006 it took until 2015 to release their full length debut “Mother War”. Five years later we see the successor to this one, this time simply self-titled. So ask yourself what you are looking for and if the answer is groovy and stomping death metal you came to the right place.

Most of the songs are kept in mid-tempo with stoic and buzz-sawing trademark riffs accompanied by some atmospheric lead guitar work lending the album quite a hooky vibe. There is enough variation to the basic chords to give each song its own identity. A few blast-sections have been implemented as well as some very laid-back ones in which the putridity of the music is slowly dripping out of the speakers. Especially those parts help ramping up the intensity of the music creating an eerie mood. Most tracks come with a lot of intensity, with hugging groove and often punky intensity to grip and pulverize your attention. Anthemic, heavy, but with euphoric touches.

Often it’s the slower parts that really characterize the songs, allowing the layers of tar-thick guitar noise to take precedent. Solos are somewhat infrequent, which is a bit of a shame as when they do appear, they’re rife with melody and emotion. Most emphasis has been put on writing ass-kicking tunes that can easily be consumed and enjoyed by the majority of death metal fans. There are some fantastic chorus parts and main themes that will surely make you swing your head.

The drumming is tight and precise without being pushed too much into the foreground. Instead the man behind the kit offers cleverly placed details highlighting certain moments where needed. This album surely is not about breaking any speed records or presenting technical firework, but giving us old school fans that feeling of old. It is great to see that this kind of plain and simple death metal is still produced on such a high quality level.

Shrapnel Storm also got a great vocalist among their ranks. His commanding and brutal delivery is pushing the music further forward, and often helps ramping up the intensity of the whole affair up a notch or two. However, the lyrics can be perfectly understood and while he stays in the same range for the whole record there is not one moment of boredom as this style is exactly what the music asks for. His idols are obvious, but this is not a bad thing in my books.

The production is powerful and raw at the same time. The technical capabilities of the modern times have been used to give the sound a punchy and clear character without sacrificing any of the putridity that fans of OSDM enjoy so much. The guitars are crunchy and the drums have a very organic feeling. With a well-balanced mix all elements can be heard in full detail, making this album a highly satisfying affair.