Swedish axe-wielding death metal warriors Feral are back with their next slab of OSDM.
Formed in 2007 & residing in the birthplace of that legendary Swedish sound, Feral has been flying the flag of death metal high since its inception.
With three full-lengths and last year’s “Made as Those Who Are No Longer Alive” split with Crawl, this is the band’s newest album since 2018.
“To Usurp The Thrones” is a continuation of their blood-soaked take on pure & unfiltered death!
Opener, “To Drain the World of Light”, gives you what you want right away. A flurry of chainsaw-drenched riffing & chaotic drumming pulls you in as its intro peaks before hitting you with a thick arse riff that gets your head banging straight away. As the track builds to its ending peak, the band unleashes an unhinged fury. This track grabs your attention fast & is a great opener.
If you’ve happened to have read one of my past reviews, you’d know that I’m BIG on groove & catchy riffs. And “Vile Malediction” gives you them in bucket loads. Just by the opening riff, the band has your toes tapping & horns flying in the air. A great Autopsy meets Entombed slogger; this track has its great chugging opening section before picking up the pace enough to add more energy to it & give it that infectious listenability.
Giving us a pure lesson in speed & fury, “Bound to the Dead” is a no-holds-barred attack on the senses. Using the speed of Asphyx but the onslaught of Bloodbath, this track doesn’t let up. Only for its build in the bridge section where the tracks pay off is a fantastic halftime-style stomper of the riff that teases you enough to leave you salivating for more.
“Phantoms of Antiquity” showcases just how inventive guitarists Markus Lindahl & Sebastian Lejon are with their songwriting. Even past the halfway point of the album, they are still able to keep the infectious groove & earworms coming from their riffs. They also have been able to craft a great guitar sound on this album. A perfect balance of that iconic HM2 tone, but it isn’t too muddy, it cuts through really well & keeps the riffing punchy.
Giving us a hint of a death doom feeling track, “Into the Ashes of History” might just be my favourite track on the album. A slow & moody riff opens the track, and then a punchy, dissonant bass guitar clangs in.
The track opens up quickly, and the band brings their speed into it. A great balance of both sides of the coin in this first half. Followed by another stomping riffs verse section, the track pretty much has it all. Soaring lead sections & also gives vocalist David Nilsson a real chance to shine. Such agony in his high vocals but also such power in his gutturals. He captured a great performance on this one.
This six-and-a-half-minute epic gives you it all. Heavy, memorable riffs, slower, ethereal moments to sink your teeth into & some of the more ripping solos on the album. This track does have it all & perfectly combined into a devastating force of nature.
“To Usurp The Thrones” is a superb album. Giving you everything you want from a true OSDM band. Feeling like the band has been able to truly outdo themselves & write their best material to date & create an album with excellent unskippable tracks that have fantastic moments each second to second. This is how true Swedish death is done. Everyone take fucking note!
Review: Joseph Mitchell
To Usurp The Thrones is out via Transcending Obscurity Records on 18th October 2024
Line up –
David Nilsson – Vocals
Viktor Klingstedt – Bass
Markus Lindahl – Guitar
Sebastian Lejon – Guitar
Roger Markström – Drums
Artwork by Costin Chioreanu (Grave)
Track Listing –
1. To Drain the World of Light
2. Vile Malediction
3. Deformed Mentality
4. Bound to the Dead
5. The Devouring Storm
6. Spirits Without Rest
7. Decimated
8. Phantoms of Antiquity
9. Soaked in Blood
10. Into the Ashes of History
11. Stripped of Flesh
Official Video Stream #1
Official Video Stream #2
Feral Bandcamp
Official Transcending Obscurity Site
Transcending Obscurity Facebook
Feral Facebook