• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Most long-time readers of The Metal Crypt know that Death Metal is my least favorite genre, but every now and then I get the urge for some downright filthy, evil music. Exhumed's Death Revenge came across my review queue right as I was having that urge and since the album is about the Burke and Hare murders from 1820s Scotland, the land of my forebears, I decided to give it a spin.

What I like most about Death Revenge, and what "brutal" Death Metal fans may not appreciate, is how accessible the music is without losing any intensity or aggression. Exhumed wanted a cinematic feel for their first concept album and works in some synthesized intro music that hits the spot but don't despair, when the guitars crank up, this shit rips. I honestly can't make out a single word, so I can't speak to historical accuracy but that hardly matters when the thrash ownage of "Night Work" is on display (all hail Slayer!) or when any of the devastating solos comes in for a surgical strike to the jugular.

I still don't like Death vocals, either the cookie-monster growls or the guttural shouts, but that did little to stop my foot from tapping or my head from banging while Death Revenge was on. It isn't often, considering all the reviews I write, that I don't get tired of any given album at some point but that never happened with Death Revenge. And it is Death Metal, so take that as a ringing endorsement.