Swedish death metal titans featuring none other than Rogga Johansson (a man who awakes each morning and writes a stunning death metal album – it appears that way anyway!) and are inspired by 80’s horror movies, you only need to look at the artwork to see this. Whilst, as I wouldn’t expect there to be, there is nothing remotely different or ground breaking from this compared to their previous effort ‘In Grisly Rapture’. One thing that has improved is the guitar recording, this is very good, heavy, earthy, magical. The drumming on some sound systems I’ve tested this album on sounds that little but industrial. I say industrial with what I really mean to say is that the melodic guitar tones enhance and give a good backbone to the easy rhythm as pounded by Mutated Martin, something that is applicable to that genre, but make no mistake, old Swedish death metal is the order of the day, the band are not going to change anytime soon.

Tracks like ‘The Black Queen’ exhibit precision, melody and most importantly speed. There is old school heritage, more of the melodic parts of Dismember’s music, however, I won’t go as far as saying it’s a direct influence, it is merely similar in feel. Ronnie Björnström mixed and mastered this release; therefore one can understand the comparable Edge of Sanity/Grave grit and determination in the recordings delivery.  Musically, you don’t mess with perfection, although not quite at the same level as other projects like Demiurg or Paganizer (even though they are different in their style), Revolting have made a statement with their ‘Hymns of Ghastly Horror’, this is a release that will appeal to movie fans and those death metal maniacs amongst you. Far removed from technicality and digital trickery, Revolting are analogue old school, both in their lyrical renditions and bone crushing musical delivery. This is another one from Rogga’s pandora’s box, another album that breathes life with a concept far more interesting than your usual run of the mill death metal.

(7/10, Paul Maddison)