Dismember

There’s always a bit of apprehension with a classic band's new release: did they get experimental? Did they try something new? Will we understand? Dismember ease all of these tensions, allowing reviewers to just enjoy themselves and get out their favourite shop-worn death metal clichés. The guitars are still rusty and suffocating, and Matti Karki’s vocals are still deranged, ominous and indistinctly cut into the mix. The drums still have that addictive snap, although it’s not Fred Estby this time (the album’s only unorthodoxy). That said, a few tracks sounded better on other records ("No Honour In Death” is just a dull remix of "Let The Napalm Rain”), but it’s forgivable. If you’ve enjoyed every (or any) Dismember record, you won’t struggle with this one. It may not have the timeless appeal of the earlier stuff but honestly, there’s little difference, they’ve simply become the grown-ups they were imitating. Call it a flat line or call it consistency, it doesn’t matter. You don’t need to take risks to be dangerous.