ALBUM REVIEW: The Autophagous Reign – Mortuary

MORTUARY have been putting the death metal scene on notice for a staggering 30 years with their vicious blend of death and thrash metal. Standing the test of time they are back for another round with their follow up to 2016’s Nothingless Than Nothingness entitled The Autophagous Reign which is available now via XENOKORP Records. Will this release help cement their legacy as one of the all time greats?

Delete/Replace gets proceedings off to a flying start with a frenzied thrash infused pacing. Gritty vocals and clinically executed drum work set a high benchmark of intensity from the offset. The Sapiens Order sustains the tempo with rapid fire riffing and bludgeoning blastbeats. The guitar work is as addictive as it is relentless with impressive lead work leaving its stamp on the track. A Curse In Disguise instantly shifts into a higher gear as the chaos betweens to ramp up significantly. Infectious grooves flow throughout the track seamlessly joining forces with unforgiving drum segments.

Dominate Modus Operandi refuses to let the energy levels fall below optimum ferocity as demonic sounding shredding and vicious screams lead the way. Enticing melodies weave in and out of the unravelling onslaught. As the tracks try to outdo each other in a competition of increasing insanity Disposable engages warp speed. Breakneck riffing and machine gun drumming are enough to make your head spin off. Even in amongst the barbaric assault they still have time to segue some neat solo pieces into the mix before resuming the destruction of your senses. Eternal provides no respite, Yohann Voirin is on a mission to pummel his drum kit to within an inch of its life. The guitar work chops and changing between swift shredding and alluring grooves to get your head bopping.

Evil tinges of black metal tones seep into Onwards To The Terminus, continuing the charge. A prolonged scream courtesy of frontman Patrick Germonville will leave you in shock and awe as intricate riffs and punishing instrumentation conjure up one of the highlights of the album thus far. Recycled sees a return of the thrashing fury alongside some delightfully moreish guitar work. The Autophagous Reign shows no signs of weariness thus far. Memorial In Vivo does surprise with a solemn piano introduction before diving headfirst into further displays of carnage. The riffs continue to fly at high velocity, one burst in particular is guaranteed to get stuck in your head for days. Despite the song being 7 minutes in length there isn’t a single second where your focus will dwindle.

As we approach the final hurdles Cheptel offers up another round of insanity with barrages of blastbeats and maniacal riff work to keep you on your toes. Monuments kick starts with some expertly executed taping segments before gearing up for one last stampede. The track begins to blur the genres as metalcore stylings are incorporated amongst speed injected guitar work, unforgiving drum fragments and some impactful french verses thrown in for good measure.

The standard for 2019 has been of ridiculous quality but MORTUARY have bulldozed their way into the top contenders. The Autophagous Reign harnesses all the key elements listeners expect from death metal but has combined the sheer aggression with moments of melody, groove and tempting pacing which will lure you back for more. The diverse offerings on display will certainly satisfy the long standing legions of fans but will also allow them to grab the attention of passers by. A masterful display by one of the greats of death metal showing that age is merely a number and class is permanent.

Rating: 9/10

The Autophagous Reign is available now via XENOKORP Records.

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