Releasedate: 17-11-2014; Label: Peaceville Records
By: Sandra Nunes
Here’s a great return of Swedish death metal masters who need no introduction, with their fourth studio album entitled “Grand Morbid Funeral,” which promises to bring down any theory that the singer x or y does not fit in the job, the band simply reinvents itself, so that the element in question can perform its function with full conviction and dedication.
As soon as I’ve listened to the first notes of “Let The Stillborn Come to Me”, I was quite surprised by the excellent sound quality of this masterpiece, but the main surprise is that Nick Holmes (Paradise Lost) has been chosen to fill the position of vocalist, that is still generating controversy within the more nostalgic fans, some argue that previous vocalists, Mikael Åkerfeldt or Peter Tägtgren would be best suited for such a task, while others support the current vocalist. Truth to be told, I prefer not to compare any of them because each one has its way of working and Nick Holmes is just being himself, bringing a kind of breath of a more morbid and fresh air and a new funereal look to the band, which nonetheless retains its identity and style.
I had to go back in time and listen to the entire discography of Bloodbath in order to understand the evolution and changes in the band and the previous albums are great, but I dare to say that they have just won a new fan from this moment, because I have always admired Nick Holmes since his works at Paradise Lost and it was precisely his presence that made me pick up this magnificent album and listening to it non-stop.
Gifted with an excellent production, “Grand Morbid Funeral” has all the factors to be the album of the year in the category of good old school death metal, maximum levels of morbid aggressiveness, well-structured themes, powerful riffs, grandiose solos, terrific bass lines, and a furious but well-defined drums section, and of course, the colossal voice. This album also features the participation of two special guests, Chris Reifert and Eric Cutler of Autopsy.
Tracks like “Anne”, “Church Of Vastitas”, “Mental Abortion”, “Unite In Pain” or even “Grand Morbid Funeral” are a good business card for the listeners.
You are all invited to discover the morbid, blasphemous and rotten world of Bloodbath and if there’s one possible word to describe this “Grand Morbid Funeral” it should be… demolisher!
Recommended for true fans.
Line Up:
Anders “Blakkheim” Nyström – Guitars
Jonas “Lord Seth” Renkse – Bass
Per “Sodomizer” Eriksson – Guitars
Martin “Axe” Axenrot -Drums
Nick “Old Nick” Holmes -Vocals
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Tracklist: 01. Let The Stillborn Come To Me 02. Total Death Exhumed 03. Anne 04. Church Of Vastitas 05. Famine Of God’s Word 06. Mental Abortion 07. Beyond Cremation 08. His Infernal Necropsy 09. Unite In Pain 10. My Torturer 11. Grand Morbid Funeral |
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