ASPHYX – Necroceros
Century Media
This is the tenth album by these Dutch death metal veterans. You've gotta give credit to a an extreme metal band with that type of accomplishment on their resume. Especially one which has gone through some major changes over the years. But still has consistently put out great music. Oh yeah and they're one of my favorite death metal bands. So yeah the bias alert is in effect.
Necroceros starts off in similar fashion as they've done over the past dozen years as far as their newer full lengths go. The recipe follows as in open with a speedy death thrash type of cut, on here it's "The Sole Cure is Death". Then follow that one with an uptempo death doom number, "Molten Black Earth". Next up it's something with a little of both. On here it's "Mount Skull" which is a fuckin amazing track. Keep that style while also peppering in a few long epics.
Yeah if you're a long time fan you know the formula well and it works. But not so much for their last album, 2016's Incoming Death. I liked it even though it sounded like the band were just going through the motions. Necroceros is like a comeback album of sorts that reminds you of the band's whole career. We're talking some cool odes to the early days as well as some points to the future.
The two long songs on here, "Three Years of Famine" and the title cut, are amazing. Then again I think every song on here is great. The guitar tone and riffs by Paul Baayens are super crunchy. He even tosses in some halfway decent lead work. Martin van Drunen's vocals are still caustic as ever. The rhythm section keeps the heaviness flowing. I'm finally appreciating Stefan Huskens's drum work since taking over for Bob Bagchus in 2014.
All in all not only is this one of my favorite albums so far this year but it's the absolute best ASPHYX has sounded in a long time. I mean everything just clicks on here. Baayens and bassist Alwin Zuur are keeping the riffs thunderous. Huskens, from Germany, has found a new home with the Dutch. And Martin van Drunen sounds just as good as he did in the nineties.
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