It certainly says something about a slamming Death Metal band when they’re able to both breed heaviness organically and give the listener a sense of being in good, capable hands throughout the onslaught.
Necrotted do exactly that, and Imperium, their latest full-length via Reaper Entertainment, is a wonderfully diverse dose of damn good, diabolic destruction. Within it, you’ll be pleased by cyclically structured songs performed by five incredibly able-bodied, veteran musicians. Whether it’s Fabian Fink’s multitude of vocal identities, Markus Braun’s .50-caliber drum pedals or the angular riffing and stout backing of the string section (guitarists Philipp Fink and Johannes Wolf and bassist Koray Saglam), the Germans have it covered.
The most telling example of Imperium’s undeniable staying power comes in the form of “Sow Sorrow For Victory”. Beginning with devastating harsh vokills that inspire rage and bloodshed, it turns on a dime with an acoustic crawl which is a vehicle to jumpstart an enthralling guitar solo. Going even further, the track returns from the solo with the help of illustrious, atmospheric charm.
And remember: this is a death metal band that prides itself on massive, catastrophic annihilation. That Necrotted is able to stick to that creed while also delivering layered compositions is a testament to their talents. “A Veiled Awakening” is full-throated and gargantuan. “Artificial Truth” features sharp screams that threaten to pierce the fabrics of spacetime. And “Reich der Gier” ascends into a pummelling death metal track aided by stomping drums and jackhammer guitar bursts.
“Imperator” does its part by pounding unceasingly, however the closer, “My Reign Come, My Will Be Done” is stunted a bit. A soft guitar intro with harsh spoken words doesn’t seem to entirely mesh. That technique reappears in the hook with more arrangements accompanying it which does salvage the overall song, and it’s but a minor blip on an otherwise colossal goliath.
Come for the brutal brand of music. Stay for the know-how of five veterans hammering away at their craft. The fifth full-length from Necrotted deserves to be set aside from the litany of releases that follow from other bands.
Buy the album here:
7 / 10
MATT COOK