ALBUM REVIEW: Grind Over Matter – Defleshed
Having originally disbanded back in 2005, DEFLESHED have come back from the dead with some unfinished business which they tackle head on in their comeback album Grind Over Matter. This new record, their first in 17 years, is aptly-named, as the returning Swedish metallers blast through eleven tracks of thrash/death/grind madness in just over half an hour with a renewed ferocity that sees them rolling back the years with their monstrous songs.
The core line-up of guitarist Lars Löfven, drummer Matte Modin and bassist/vocalist Gustaf Jorde got back together last year to record a couple of songs but that went so well that it snowballed into a new album and fans can rejoice at having DEFLESHED back, especially now that they get Grind Over Matter in the deal as well.
Starting as they mean to go on with the ferocious opener Bent Out Of Shape, the band waste no time with a grand declaration to show that they are back and mean business all over again; the fire is back and this is the vibe for the whole of the album. This opener sets the tone and the songs roll into one another perfectly in a none more brutal fashion, leaving the listener no time to catch their breath as the relentless DEFLESHED machine grinds on in with unhinged ferocity.
With songs like One Grave To Fit Them All, Dear Devil, Blood Well Spent, Behind Dead Eyes and the wonderfully titled Blastbeast all blasting on full cylinders before the finality of closing number Last Nail In The Coffin signs off the return of DEFLESHED in fine style, it feels great to have the band back and doing it so ferociously to boot. DEFLESHED sound completely reenergised in their music and this album more than stands up with the celebrated albums they did before their hiatus. It’s a fine addition to the arsenal of metal anthems that DEFLESHED have produced over the years.
This is an album that will delight older fans of DEFLESHED, ones who were there the first time around who will undoubtedly be happy that they have returned, let alone made an album as energetic as Grind Over Matter, and also a whole host of newer fans who will love this album just the same and they will surely look back to the band’s back catalogue to get the whole experience of DEFLESHED both old and new.
There is a hunger on Grind Over Matter that would shame much younger bands, and unlike most bands returning after a long hiatus DEFLESHED prove that their passion for delivering consistently great music is still there. There is a renewed energy in their music and it is as if there was only a couple of years gap between this and their last album and not 17 years. Hopefully though, DEFLESHED will not leave it as long for the next one.
Rating: 7/10
Grind Over Matter is set for release on October 28th via Metal Blade Records.
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