July 3, 2007 | , | 4

Vomitory, Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize

It’s been a good 3 years since last we heard this Swedish act. Their sixth and latest studio effort shows no signs of rust after the lay off. In fact, after playing as a group in one shape or another for over a decade, VOMITORY sound as fresh and smooth as a cooling corpse run through a wood chipper a couple of times. Rotting flesh slurpee anyone?

The band doesn’t waste any time upon their return, getting right down to business with the opening track, “Eternal Trail of Corpses.” It’s no frills, death metal that reminds me of the days of early CANNIBAL CORPSE (think “Tomb of the Mutilated”) or “Acts of the Unspeakable”-era AUTOPSY — but without the ultra disgustingly, gnarly lyrics. Granted on an album entitled Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize you’re going to get your fill of vile content, but it’s a little light on the gore.

Despite my own sick preferences when it comes to brutal death metal, VOMITORY more than make up for the lack of putridness with crushing riffs and demonic tempos quick enough and varied enough to make even Satan puke a bit in his mouth. “Scavenging the Slaughtered” has this BOLT THROWER like riff tearing through it that’ll get any fan of death metal pumped. The title track features indecipherable vocals and chaotic crashes from the drums and soul shredding guitars. The chorus is catchy as hell, making it an instant classic.

You’ll find plenty of thrash on the disc as well. Tracks like “The Burning Black” and “Defiled and Inferior” have plenty of thrash thrown in for good measure to keep the listener more than entertained. Hell, they even slow it down a bit with a doom inspired “Whispers From the Dead” to let a few of you catch your breathe. I love the chorus from that track. It’s catchy and down right nasty at the same time.

It’s hard not to argue that this is one of the better death metal releases this year. Brutal vocals, driving riffs, pounding drums and a great production value add up to one hell of an album.