Time Signature Nothing more than aggression...

Genre: crossover-thrash-death

The Italian death metal act Omnivore released their eponymous debut album earlier this year on Unspeakable Axe Records. While death metal has evolved into several subgenres, and there are numerous paths to choose for a death metal band, Omnivore's music is solidly planted in the aesthetics of old school 90s death metal.

Thus, the main musical vantage point on this album is that of fierce thrash-induced death metal with each song firing of a barrage of compelling riffs straight into your unsuspecting ears. Keeping a relatively high level of technicality, Omnivore are, however, not afraid to get down and dirty. Thus, we find complex riffs side by side with crusty hardcore aggression. It is the very fact that Omnivore's music on this album runs the gamut from hardcore over crossover and thrash to technical and brutal death metal that makes this album such a great listen. The straightforward hardcore energy fits the death metal aggression extremely well as heard in the combination of death metal growls and hardcore riot vocals in 'Hypochrist' and 'Nothing More Than Dust'.

This album is an extremely strong debut album and captures a band who have mastered the art of making music from which aggressive energy emanates. Omnivore should appeal to fans of death metal, crust punk, and crossover thrash alike. To be honest, no rating under five stars can be justified.

(review originally posted at seaoftranquility.org)