I could not abide the Brutal Death scene at one point, I think in some respects I just took things too seriously. I mean I couldn’t stand the influence that Deathcore was having and I also had very little time for silly Gore/Porngrind albums. As I’ve let go of my elitism though I’ve reflected on old Deathcore albums and seen them as inoffensive and in some cases very good. Equally I’ve fully embraced the idiocy that comes with Brutal Death/ Grind/ Slam, now the more OTT the better really.

So with Brutal Death and Grind ideals in mind let’s talk about Germany’s own Stillbirth. This is a band that has taken a long time to reach the peak that they deserve. Formed in 1999 the eventually released their debut Happy Stillbirthday Party in 2003, yet a year later they would split. Upon their reformation in 2006 the band haven’t stopped working. Notable albums being Global Error and Annihilation Of Mankind. For the last three records including the one we come to today the band have smashed out a full length a year, quite the feat by the standards of today. So, said album we speak of is Revive The Throne, the seventh full length, put out through Unique Leader Records.

The album begins with a snappy little Slam infused Grind number in Degraded To Mutilation, it’s the sort of track that instantly pulls you in and sums up the band perfectly in under two minutes. The absolutely breath-taking vocals and instrumentation carries forward into the title track. Vocally it is somewhat reminiscent of Acranius or Signs Of The Swarm, guttural yet ‘tough’ sounding. Instrumentally the track and album is deeply rooted in some pretty purist Brutal Death/ Slam/ Grind territory, pounding drums break only to make way for crushing hammer wielding blows. I’m less enamoured by the straight up Brutal songs such as displayed in Degeneration, still a good song but not enough variation for my liking. The rest of the first half of the album is of a similar ilk, but Panem Et Cicenses does at least have some properly vile vocals and killer riffs, a return to prior form.

The second half opens just how one would want with the huge Slamming barbarity of Breed Of Bestiality, a track that really highlights drummer Martin Grupe’s ability. Echoes Of The Trumpets gives us a nice bit guitar work that is sure to add to the memorability of the album. Well timed and not a touch out of place, however I find myself awaiting these moments and the Slams far too much, the actual glue that holds it together is fairly standard Brutal Death fair. The final song Dethrone The King has its moments but nothing utterly mind blowing, again there are some really strong vocals and a cheeky little Slam, but other than this the track is average.

It’s a bit of a shame that the sections between are so standard because Stillbirth really do have a huge sound. By absolutely no means at all do I hate this album, put it this way I’d happily go out and buy it (and probably will). Yet that’s not to say there isn’t some critique to be had and mine would be the lack of drive in the faster portions of the album. All round though the band shine, and clearly they’re all incredibly talented musicians and a band worthy of any Death Metal fans support.

(8/10 George Caley)

https://www.facebook.com/StillbirthParty

https://uniqueleaderrecords.bandcamp.com/album/revive-the-throne