Necrovation

The best parts on this second album from Swedish death metal crew Necrovation come at the most unexpected times: during the title track, they stop the manic death polka for a moment for a melodic, grooving breakdown; opener "Necrovorous Insurrection" has moments that harken back to the best of '80s thrash; and the excellently titled "Sepulchreal" features a tasty standout guitar solo. "The Transition" is an instrumental that pays homage to Metallica's "Orion" in the best of ways. Much of the rest of the album, though, is classic Euro death metal, often in a mid-to-fast Grave territory, done capably and with respect, such as "Ill Mouth Madness (The Many)," which ends the album in classic Swedeath fashion. If not for the thrash flourishes, this one would stagnate a bit, but Necrovation have enough flash to keep things interesting here.