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By JEFF MAKI
Holy Murder Masquerade, the fifth album from Sweden's Impious, is a raw and lethal burst of thrashing old-school death metal. According to the band's official press release, Impious was formed all the way back in 1994. I'll have to take their word for it because this is my introduction to the band, who has called Metal Blade Records home since 2004.
The music of Holy Murder Masquerade can be best described as the melodic elements of Dark Tranquillity or In Flames minus the keyboards, with the pure, raw aggression and sound of early Entombed. Similarities to early '90s American death metal are present, as well. The album is certainly fucking heavy, though not original in any sense. The most original thing here is the narrator occasionally heard between songs. He seems to be tapping the mind of a serial killer or perhaps is the killer himself. Originality is not always necessary with a band this brutal and evil. Impious, though maybe playing it a little too safe, have made a hell of an album. The guitars are fuzzy and sound like the same ones used on Entombed's Left Hand Path or Clandestine. The deep guttural vocals of frontman Martin Akesson dominate the recording.
On the title track, an evil doom metal riff is reminiscent of Morbid Angel, as the song is brooding in the vein of material from the Domination album. “Three of One” rips it up with thrashing riffs and has the album's most memorable shouted chorus. “Dark Closure”'s crushing mid-tempo riff synchronizes with pummeling double bass, backed by an aura of atmosphere otherwise not found on the album. The song has a majestic, triumphant feel and is a strong end to the disc. More material along these lines would set Impious into the elite league of death metal bands. But for now, if you're into any of the bands referenced here (which I am), then you will undoubtedly be into this album. |
