Obliteration

This third full-length in for Norwegian old-school death metal band Obliteration is likely the first many on North American shores will have heard, thanks to a new deal with Relapse Records, who have taken a moment off from releasing three-hour albums of completely boring music to reclaim their throne as the best metal label around. The death metal of Black Death Horizon is sloppy and raw. Maniacal drumming and Autopsy-ish psycho-guy vocals make tracks like "The Distant Sun (They are the Key)" totally unhinged, while "Goat Skull Crown" introduces some scary-ghoul vocals. It's not a great idea, but the whole vibe here makes for a killer, raw, old school death metal feel. With a vibe that brings to mind previously mentioned sewer-pounders Autopsy — as well as the cream of the '91 death metal crop, and classic Celtic Frost — Obliteration have created a fun and wholly enjoyable old-school disc, with the ugly production values acting as a perfect foil to today's over-processed shiners.