Ordeal
Atrocities
6.9
Synopsis:
Yet another solid home country release from the record label formally know as The LSP Company…
Review:
I’m beginning to think Belgium might one of the most underrated death metal exporters in the world. If anything, they are certainly a country that is stuck in a time warp of sorts, with a plethora of bands still sounding like its 1992-1997, and doing it well. One such band is Ordeal, who with their debut full length album, like label/country mates Fleshmould, have delivered a stout mix of classic early Floridian death metal (Death/ Obituary/Monstrosity) with a hint of Euro-girth and chunk (Benediction/Bolt Thrower/Asphyx/Pestilence/early Gorefest); Nothing groundbreaking, but certainly enjoyable.
Featuring the thick earthy guitar tone and rumbling percussion that Belgian bands seem to deliver perfectly, Atrocities lurches and lumbers with reigned-in brutality and down-tuned heft and control. There are blast beats (“Malicious Intent”, “Atrocities”, “Desolation”), although drummer Raf Lambrechts isn’t trying to break any sort of bpm records, but simply delivering the steady pounding backbone to some familiar but competent riffs and growls. Unlike Fleshmould, Ordeal don’t take some experimental missteps (except for some odd vocal tangents and the oddly progressive “Diabolic Ailings”), but like, say Jungle Rot, just chug their way through all 12 tracks with little deviation from course. There are some atmospheric solos (i.e. “Rise From Ash”, “Desolation”) that sprinkle the songs with some attempt at melody, but nothing too exuberant as Ordeal generally keep it simple with earthy, chugging menace (“Anxiety”, “Reversal”, “Lament”, “Duel (Ares Delight)”) and as you can tell, the same approach is applied lyrically.
Though far from a landmark album, Atrocities should satisfy your old school death done right cravings with a healthy dose of mid paced rumbling simplicity.
