ALBUM REVIEW: Leper Colony – Leper Colony
Nowadays there appears to be an abundance of young and hungry death metal bands coming up from all over the globe. With the scene in the best shape it has been for years it takes that certain special something to stand above the pack and for people to really take notice. Enter LEPER COLONY. The Swedish outfit boasts quite the pedigree with the three members having performed in some notorious acts such as PAGANIZER, INSIDIOUS DISEASE and CONSUMPTION before coming together to write and record their eponymous debut album.
From the very opening notes of The Human Paradox the boys show you exactly what they are about. This is old school death metal in its purest and most unapologetic form. The riffs are plentiful, the vocals are raw and delivered with a sneer and the drumming sounds like heavy artillery, making sure that all of the boxes are ticked off.
The opening riff of The Surgical Undeadvors sounds like it has come from the cutting room floor of a MASTODON recording session before flying into another whirlwind of high paced death metal ferocity, with the harmonised riff returning intermittently to add that little pinch of melody. Tar And Feathers maintains the high velocity with John Skäre’s technically astounding drumming driving the song forward, giving Rogga Johansson the platform he needs for his seriously impressive guitar solos.
The intertwining vocals on the title track are one of the real highlights of the release. The guttural growls contrasting with the banshee-high shrieks make for a really interesting dynamic and the slower (not slow, just slower) pace of the song is a welcome change that hits at just the right time. However, the reprieve is short lived as A Flow So Greatly Macabre grabs the listener by the throat and drags them headfirst back into the maelstrom of bloodthirsty riffs and pulverising drumming. The fact that the LEPER COLONY have the ability to switch things up so seamlessly is a real testament to the experience that the trio have collectively within the genre and the high level of song-writing that coincides with that fact.
The band have no desire to go out with a whimper. Instead, they opt for taking aim and unloading both barrels with the scathing Gruesome End (a fitting title). This song once again contains all of the hallmarks of a raging death metal track. There are even more virtuoso guitar solos, a plethora of infectious riffs and snarling, venomous vocals that ensure that the boys reach the finish line with absolutely nothing left in the tank.
When it comes to debut albums, particularly from renowned and well-respected musicians within their chosen field, there is always an elevated sense of expectation and a demand for high quality and LEPER COLONY have more than reached the levels expected of them. This eponymous release is a statement of intent from the veterans and proves that they are more than capable of throwing fists with bands half their age.
Rating: 8/10
Leper Colony is set for release on January 13th via Transcending Obscurity Records.
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