EP REVIEW: Delivering The Dead – Revel In Flesh/Temple Of Void

Both REVEL IN FLESH and TEMPLE OF VOID have proven themselves to be favourites of the underground death metal scene over their careers. REVEL IN FLESH have spent the better part of the last decade dominating the German death metal scene, releasing four full lengths since 2012, alongside a live album and contributing to a mind-boggling nine split releases, all of which where handily re-released last year in the Relics Of The Deathkult compilation (read our review here!). The tenth split releases from the German quintet, Delivering The Dead, sees them team up with the equally adored underground darlings TEMPLE OF VOID, Detroit-based death/doom five piece. 

Side A of Delivering The Dead is made up of TEMPLE OF VOID‘s contribution to the seven-inch release: Harvester Of Flesh. It’s been a long two years since the death/doom outfit unleashed their stellar sophomore album, Lords Of Death, and though the hunger for a new full-length from the Detroit five-piece is strong, Harvester Of Flesh is a brilliant appetiser. Lyrically delving into the life and crimes of notorious murdered and grave robber Ed Gein, TEMPLE OF VOID kick things off with a far more furious burst than one would expect from a death/doom band, before slowing things right down to a crushing dirge. Harvester Of Flesh rumbles through its six-and-a-half-minute length in no time at all, the atmosphere oppressive and intense, with vocalist Mike Erdody‘s glacial growls adding to the murk.

Side B, however, belongs to REVEL IN FLESH. The band have had a long career worshipping the early works of ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER and GRAVE, abusing the HM-2 pedal at every turn while injecting heavy doses of melody and hooks. Sky Burial follows suit, but rather than opt for the feral, grinding assault they have proven themselves masters of, here REVEL IN FLESH ramp up the atmosphere, creating a far more epic and melancholic sound. Lyrically, vocalist Ralf Hauber explores the sacred Tibetan funeral practice that the song takes its name from, where a dismembered corpse is left exposed to the elements and to sacred vultures atop a peak. Epic, grandiose and grim, Sky Burial promises incredible things from the as yet untitled fifth full length from REVEL IN FLESH.

With both REVEL IN FLESH and TEMPLE OF VOID due a new full-length in the near future, the Delivering The Dead split is a great way for both bands to tide fans over until their respective records come to release. Both Harvester Of Flesh and Sky Burial are incredibly strong offerings from the respective bands, and promise fantastic things to come from both outfits in the near future. Though the appeal of a split release such as Delivering The Dead largely lies in the established fan-bases of the contributing bands, both tracks here offer a lot to enjoy, and could easily prove to be a jumping off point to explore further into the two brilliant discographies.

Rating: 8/10

Delivering The Dead is set for release June 14th via Unspeakable Axe Records.

Like REVEL IN FLESH on Facebook.

Like TEMPLE OF VOID on Facebook.