Tribulation, The Horror

Sweden’s Tribulation thrive in the world of underground metal. While the trio may share elements In Flames, their brand of Swedish Death Metal is a monster all its own. Evil, blackened tinges of sound explode through your speakers with a ferocity only found in those bands that truly don’t give a fuck. Misanthropic, violent and aggressive, The Horror is packed full of blasting rhythms, caustic guitars and vocal malevolence.

Ignoring the paint-by-numbers introductory track, the band lays down eight solid tracks of unfettered, hellish mayhem. Like the sadistic march of a blood-thirsty psychopath, the music on this album is unrelenting and single minded — kill, kill, kill.

Into The Jaws Of Hell
The opening track is an ambient intro that is unnecessary and really doesn’t do much for the quality metal that follows.

Crypt Of Thanatophilia
There’s no waiting to get started as the group opens the floodgates to Hell’s deep with “Crypt of Thanatophilia.” The thundering drums pummel relentlessly as caustic riffs drive you further into maddening horror. The vocals are relatively mid-range and very raw in their delivery. Be sure to check out the sick solo at 1:10 — dude must be channeling Satan himself. There’s a surprisingly catchy groove weaving in and out of the darkness that is Tribulation.

Curse Of Resurrection
Raw guitars full of distortion get this one underway with pounding, savage drumming. This song is full on balls to the wall thrashing death metal. Man this song kills! The slowdown at the two minute mark highlights some real nice, misanthropic guitar work that’s got a feeling of desolation and helplessness to it.

Beyond The Horror
“Beyond The Horror” transitions smoothly from the previous song with the galloping hooves of the hordes of Hell. This thing chugs along like a juggernaut accompanied by raw guitars and even more raw vocals. The lead at 1:30 is evil and distant. Man, these guys are hell bent on destruction. The track ends with extended atmospherics and light guitars.

The Vampyre
Distant guitars starts this on off as massive explosions of noise come in periodically with blasting drums. The guys get a groove shortly after the start with vicious rhythms and guitar squeals. I’ve run out of words for “unrelenting,” but that’s exactly what’s going on with “The Vampyre.” It feels as though a swarm of vampiric creatures sick with bloodlust have just descended upon your sorry sack of flesh. I’m loving the lead just after the two minute mark.

Sacrilegious Darkness
Seriously though, is there really any other darkness than that of the sacrilegious ilk? Tribulation erupt into a chugging and blasting pace with thundering drums and driving guitars. This song is fast paced fury in all its unholiness. The vocals have a higher sense of urgency to them as the rest of the band lays waste to their instruments.

Spawn Of The Jackal
“Spawn of the Jackal” has a slower, yet no less powerful start with memorable riffing and steady drums. A galloping pace comes in at :45 before descending into pummeling darkness with the vocals. I love the energy in the blasts around the 1:30 mark.

Seduced By The Smell Of Rotten Flesh
Massive, doomy riffs get this next one going for the first minute or so before the pace is quickened with manic drumming and evil guitars. The vocals seem to have a little extra something to them that brings out more evil and vehemence. The track ends with some light keyboard work before shifting into the final song.

Graveyard Ghouls
“Graveyard Ghouls” starts off with some classic thrash riffs for the first second or two before crushing drums and distorted riffs fall from the heavens. This thing is layered with all kinds of mayhem — raw vocals, distortion, textures. It’s hard to finish an album like this off any stronger than it has been for a vast majority of the material, but Tribulation do their damnedest to cap off the album properly.

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Favorite Tracks:
All of them

Additional Notes:
N/A