Dutch death metal purveyours light the match to devastating consequences as they finally conclude their WW1 trilogy with the long awaited album number ten.
“Annihilation Crusade”, the opening track proper on this the band’s 10th studio release, lays bare the intentions of a band that refused to die. There is a real purpose and vitality about this album that comes out of the speakers without any pretensions.
The title track is crushing tour-de-force that cuts through the enemy like a machine gun. “Fight for your country” roars vocalist and main-man Henri Sattler. Backed a rapid-fire drum pattern and slashing guitar lines you certainly get the sense that your comrades are at your side.
There is something special about this line-up, which sees Michiel vd Plicht (drums), Mike Ferguson (lead guitars) and Jeroen Pomper (bass) join Sattler in providing the listener with a true guttural feel of the horrors of war.
At one stage it was high unlikely that we would see the final part of the trilogy as the band split in 2012. Passionsale (Passchendaele) was the first of the three back in 2009 and was then followed by the brilliant Under the Sign of the Iron Cross. Fortunately it turned out only to be a temporary hiatus.
This is as dominant and as powerful as anything in the band’s impressive back catalogue. The formula is reassuringly familiar but there is added gusto and clarity to their sound that proves beyond doubt that they were right to return.
“On The Wrong Side” is another thick slab of aural intensity with a groove that is far harder to master than its simplicity would suggest.
“Konigsberg” is delightful and chilling one minute interlude that preceeds arguably the best track on the album, namely “Escape Across The Ice (The White Army)”. It’s muscular and relentless riff pushes the track forward and allows Ferguson to add the intertwining melody. The track display the band’s anthemic quality to the fullest whilst keeping their feet firmly in the muddy battlefields of Europe.
Lyrically the album deals with the harsh and cold reality of what is often referred to as “The Great War” and each track provides a different facet of the battle through tempo shifts, moods and various stages of brutality.
“The 11th Hour” summons up the energy and spirit for one final charge. The battle has been won but at what cost.
Music from the trenches. The soundtrack from the frontline.
Donnie’s Rating: 9/10
The World Ablaze is released on the 5th May 2017. Order you copy here
