GOREFEST 'Rise To Ruin' (Candlelight) RATING: 8/10

By JEFF MAKI

Rise to Ruin, from long-running Dutch death metal band Gorefest, is as lethal of a statement in brutality as it is politically. A sample interrupts the midway point of the opener, “Revolt,” stating “Political leaders of the world were drug out of their offices and shot in the streets. This has become one of the most important days of the 21st century.” I don't think anyone will have any questions over the band's views on current politics after that.

Gorefest formed way back in 1991 and has released several solid death albums and built a solid fan-base across the world. They split in 1999 but reformed in 2004 and eventually released a well-received comeback album, La Muerte. The reception should only continue to grow stronger with Rise to Ruin.

This is an old-school, down-tuned blast of extreme death metal. For those who have never heard Gorefest, I put them in the same category as Morbid Angel or Entombed. But Rise to Ruin's closest comparison is to God Dethroned's The Toxic Touch. Both albums' relentless assault is offset by a simplistic lyrical approach, leaving songs memorable and powerful. In this case, less is more, hitting you straightforward and hard. Sample lyric: “I will make you understand that you need to die!” Somewhat silly, yes, but effective. Lead vocalist Jan Chris de Koeijer gargles and bellows out some of the roughest and deepest sounds in death metal. The sticking factor is that given the extremity of the recording, Gorefest still understands the importance of song. Bottom line: This fucker is fast and just plain shreds.

Rise to Ruin could have very well been released 10 years ago, but with its excellent production and modern depth of sound, you'd never know. This type of death metal is becoming less common, with bands constantly pushing the envelope to create a "new" sound. Rise to Ruin deviates from this thinking, giving rabid death metal fans the kind of album they have been salivating for.