TMDI’m tempted to say here we are again. Five years on since the sonic explosion that was Trivmvirate and the new album Tetragrammaton has landed. Let’s just clear up a couple of issues straight away. Yes, this is the same bombastic, sensory overload as the last album (glossing over the Crematorium re-release). In fact, probably more so. It’s full-on, obnoxious and exhilarating metal at its best. And no, this is unlikely to settle any arguments still raging about the group after last time round. In fact, this one might even gleefully rattle a few more cages. But, frankly, who cares about those poor, cage-dwelling fools. So let us begin.

At its heart TMDC is a death metal band and no one can argue that these guys aren’t capable of some decent technical riffery. But, in a genre known for its dour single-mindedness, this Dutch five-piece is as cheerfully schizophrenic as it’s possible to get. Even more so than Trivmvirate, Tetragrammaton is a sound clash of magnificent proportions. The speeds vary from mid-paced to full-pelt with power keyboards, industrial cross-over and, this time round, a baritone voice-over that occasionally booms in with self-referential and portentous narrative. And the samples. Don’t forget the samples. And the forever building climaxes. But whereas its predecessor was at least still eight out of ten parts honourable death metal this time round they’ve cast off the disguise and engineered a full-on sound clash. Part death, part electronica and part cinematic rush.

One thing metal should do is take things to their great and glorious natural conclusion and, lest we forget, that includes louder, harder, faster and, in this case, well… just BIG. If you can’t agree with that, it’s probably time to leave the hall. After a couple of tracks that could have been on Trivmvirate, such as the ferocious opener Gods Among insect, Flight TMDC really takes off. The billowing, final crescendo of Drugs, Thugs & Machetes to the cries of Allah Akbar is something I am already sure I will never tire of hearing. There is an eastern vibe throughout that reminds me of Nile (probably more so on The White Crematorium but it’s still here) meets Rotting Christ (particularly the highs of Theogonia) or Septic Flesh. Then there are the appropriately unrestrained keyboards of Fleshgod Apocalypse added in and, dare I say it, a bit of intentional Manowar who-gives-a-fuck – sans loin cloths, of course. Tetragrammaton collects together all the bracing elements of those bands with their experimental edges.

Then TMDC turns it all up to 10 while remaining more consistent than its predecessor and self-aware throughout despite the self-referential name checking. The intro to Drugs…. includes a radio tuning in to the airwaves that brushes past the intro to Trivmvirate’s opening track, for example and the voice over on S.A.D.M lets us know that TMDC is ‘leader of those armies bright…’. Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that these guys don’t know they are winding people up and this time the gloves are off. But the music retains its punch and has more than enough clout to balance the techno fiddling. This sound isn’t watered down or derivative in a way that would suggest this band has not put their all into this. It’s a sound that lesser bands could spend years in the studio trying to achieve and fail.

Sure, to some, this is going to sound a bit like nu-melodeath but there is always a tendency to dismiss something as a crowd pleaser that doesn’t simply go deep underground. For all the nay-sayers, see this not so much as an apology for the first broadsides but as the ship turning towards you for a full frontal assault. It’s huge, gung-ho and, yes, a little bit cheesy at times. It really doesn’t much bigger or over the top. If this carries on, don’t be surprised if next time round they disappear up their own proverbials.

(9/10 Reverend Darkstanley)

http://www.monolith-deathcult.com/