Black Breath

Initially issued by the band independently, but eventually garnering the attention of beastly metal outfit Southern Lord, Seattle, WA's Black Breath destroy with this frustratingly short EP. Stunningly, while the effort is a measly four songs that struggle to reach the quarter-hour mark, the range of influences, creativity and unequalled brutality within say more than albums five times its length. Kicking out a greasy punk rock'n'roll onslaught via the title track, culled from the adrenaline-fuelled passion of Venom's "Witching Hour," Razor To Oblivion then nails down a couple of Slayer references, hints at Death Breath's rumbling grit and unwittingly sideswipes Doomriders' last effort. Sill, it all sounds decidedly fresh, inventive and furious. If there's a new face for the toddler that is death rock'n'roll, Black Breath will quickly prove to be it.