Coordinated Mutilation

When a band releases their second full-length, they should have found their style somewhat. No problems here with that. Volturyon, from Sweden, bash out violent death metal with absolutely no tendencies towards other genres. A uniform disc of brutality and demise, “Coordinated Mutilation” sounds very mature. And, despite the harsh delivery, a little dull around the edges. Let me explain.

First, imagine a clear and massive production. Enter musicians that know what the fuck they are doing, tight as you-know-what. Press “play”. Guitars pound your skull with sledgehammer riffs. The drums alternate between two-beats, fast kicks, furious blast beats (that always kick in lots of energy) and slower battering. The vocalist barks like a madman, maniacally growling for more human flesh to chew on. Have you heard this before? Yes. Yes, you have. There’s one band specifically that Volturyon have borrowed a lot from, but I’ll try to not namedrop ‘em as I’m sure the Swedes are bored to death of being compared to them. (Cannibal Corpse.)

The energy level is high on “Coordinated Mutilation”, and Volturyon sound best during the most relentless moments of absolutely no compromise, when the momentum is being driven into your face with merciless fury and conviction. Album opener “Bloodsoaked Solution” is clearly the best track, and I had very high hopes for the rest of the album after hearing it, so I’ll recommend you to start there. Especially the breakdownish riff at about a minute in and the awesome shifts to blasting created a major wish to headbang the shit out of myself and my dog, had I owned one. Dogs are awesome. I should get one.

Sadly, after the first track, the spell wore off and I started to yawn at the conformity of the album. Ironically, the brute force Volturyon flaunts is dulled by them over-using it. More hooks inserted into the riffs might have helped. The apparent lack of innovative nerve also annoyed me. If your music is filled with the same old, same old, the quality has really got to be top notch for your dated stew to taste any good. And though “Coordinated Mutilation” is a very well done disc of death, it holds nothing mind-blowing.

For genre aficionados: this will satisfy your sick and twisted needs once in a while, but don’t expect any miracles. Jesus ain’t coming. My dog ate him.