Death metal seems a very appropriate medium for an album about the different stages of the annihilation of the human race, which is the theme of “The Selected Breed”. At the same time it’s not difficult to work out what to expect: thunderously dark drums, heavy riffs and deep growls. A more unusual feature of this album is the occasional use of oriental instruments. The dissonant tick-tock is a strange accompaniment to the apocalyptic and bludgeoning death-thrash fest, which characterises tracks like “Prometheus”. Fury descends on us.
Battering its way along heavily and mercilessly, as you might expect of a Swedish band, melody creeps in on the title track, then after an initial explosion deliberate and crushing devastation follow on the sweeping “The Sixth Bloodletting”. “Anthropogeny” then comes down like a series of hammer blows. Furious drumming and razor-like guitar work conform to type. As the track heads towards oblivion, it explosively bursts into flames before ending quietly. What I did not understand was the purpose of the oriental guitar insertions. They seemed to have no place in this monstrous slab of death metal. They contrast so much with the dark fury that they just act as a brief break in tracks such as “Red Waves”. The build-up and sound wall of “Gift of Disintegration” are impressive enough without unnecessary enhancements. The quiet end, which “Life Rejuvenate” provides, is undoubtedly intended to be mystical but it just seemed out of keeping with the remaining deathfest.
The fury and darkness of “The Selected Breed” add up to an atmosphere of destruction. Now this isn’t original for this genre, and the inclusion of oriental sections merely serves to mystify rather than enhance the scene. But whilst I didn’t find this album inspiring, this is a powerful selection of death metal pieces.
(6/10 Andrew Doherty)
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