‘Slaver’ is the fourth album by this Australian trio from Adelaide, and while the first 3 appear to be very pirate orientated, and while this one isn’t as buccaneer based, it still retains the theme of atrocities men commit on other men.

The album opens with “Flame”, which at first appears it’s going to be a slow and doomy track but quickly breaks into a rapid progression of riffs by guitarist Alim, as bassist Gruesome and drummer Esh keep the rhythm going through the various tempo changes.

Gruesome’s vocals are as low and guttural as the music on “Smoke Pours From The Orifices Of The Crematory Idol” as it oppressively lumbers on.

“Stones Break Bones” has even lower vocals when the song is at doom death pace, but as the music becomes more lively the vocals maintain their menacing drawl before Alim breaks into his first lead solo on the album.

While never getting terribly fast “Graves Awaiting Corpses” does fluctuate between heavy slow riffs and ponderous drumming spoken paced growls, until after the bass solo when the drumming gets more animated allowing the guitars to flit between more riffs.

Instrumental “His Appearance” has a bit of Beethoven’s fifth about it that I just can’t shake, but it’s not unwelcome and works well as the drumming builds its conclusion.

However, on “Whore To War”, it’s the opening drumming that immediately sets the pace and tempo for the song as its rolls keep breaking like waves for the guitars to work against.

Intricate riffs and melody changes are used over complex rhythms on “Temples To Death”, and while it could easily cause a headache trying to figure out what’s about to come next, it does keep the song interesting with its laid back tempo.

Title track “Slaver” is a tad faster but just as heavy as the effects on the vocals which sound as though they come from the following track, “The Pit” where long drawl out growls add to the echoey ambience as the lyrics denounce the vile things that happen to those stuck there.

The album wraps up with the instrumental “His Exultance” which has the sombre feel of a marche funebre as the ominous drums plod along to a gloomy bass and melancholy guitar harmony.

While rather slow as a whole, it definitely uses that to make everything even heavier and more oppressive, which I’m certain is exactly what they are going for.

(7/10 Marco Gaminara)

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