Short and direct. That is the direction Canadian death metal quartet Scorching Tomb took on its debut, Ossuary. Old school death metal has experienced a resurgence in recent years, with some bands eschewing extravagant technicality for straightforward brutality. However, one must remember that death metal bands in the 80s and 90s played complex, technical music. While Human by Death and Pierced From Within by Suffocation may sound slightly tame by present standards, those records set the blueprint that lead to the genre’s evolution. Old school death metal nowadays is a catchall term for death metal that do not lean on overtly technical side. Scorching Tomb are not one dimensional however.
“Stalagmite Impalement” opens with with a lumbering riff and blast beats before settling into a galloping tempo reminiscent of Skeletal Remains (another OSDM band). The track shifts from galloping to a slow, grinding groove that gets the head banging. “Skullcrush” commences with a slow groove that transitions to a nice d-beat. Guitarist Phillipe Leblanc throws out some thick, bludgeoning riffs under a sick groove compliments of bassist Miguel Lepage and drummer Emile Savard. “Diminished to Ashes” is an aggressive, pummeling affair with merciless double bass drummer that advance like a tank through a blood drenched battlefield. “Sanctum of Bones (Ossuary)” speeds things up with rapid riffing and machine gun kick drumming that transitions into mid-tempo groove.
“Sentenced To Rot” sounds like a title to a Cannibal Corpse song and sounds like one with its eerie serpentine riff and sludge tempo. “Feel the Blade” is the longest track on Ossuary at four minutes, and features several tempo changes to keep things interesting. “Bloodlust Sacrifice” is the album’s penultimate track is replete with blast beats and monolithic riffing. The closing breakdown will start several pits at the band’s shows. Album closer “Expired Existence” opens with a haunting riff over a plodding tempo that speeds up and slows down at the end. A fitting end.
Ossuary is notable for its production. The guitars, bass and drums sound full, but clear. Musically, the band does not reinvent the wheel, but plays to its strengths. One can clearly hear the Cannibal Corpse, Carcass, and Bolt Thrower influence. However, the band simplifies things just a bit, emphasizing groove over technicality. This simplicity borders on monotony at times, but the band gets business handled as the album runs just over 28 minutes in length.
Scorching Tomb’s debut does not reinvent the wheel, but it is a strong performance. Death metal fans will like the crushing riffs and nasty grooves on this record. In fact, folks new to death metal should check this album out to dip their feet into the genre. Scorching Tomb have nowhere to go but up in the catacombs of death metal.
Check out the band’s page for news and tour dates: https://www.facebook.com/scorchingtomb/
