BOLT THROWER — Those Once Loyal (review)

BOLT THROWER — Those Once Loyal album cover Album · 2005 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Those Once Loyal" is the 8th full-length studio album by UK death metal act Bolt Thrower. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in November 2005. Since the release of "Honour - Valour - Pride (2001)", original lead vocalist Karl Willetts have returned to the fold again, replacing Dave Ingram. Willetts had been in and out of the band a couple of times since his first departure in 1994, but it seems his return this time is permanent. And if you ask me he is more than welcome back. Dave Ingram did a decent job on "Honour - Valour - Pride (2001)", but there is something special about the way Karl Willetts growl that just fits Bolt Thrower´s music like a glove.

The music on the album is in the trademark war/battle themed death metal style that Bolt Thrower have practiced since the early 90s. Ultra heavy beats, simple yet effective downtuned riffs and a commanding growling vocal on top and you know you´re listening to Bolt Thrower. What makes "Those Once Loyal" stand out from especially the last two albums by the band, is the extremely high quality of the material and the performances. The musicianship are strong, the sound production probably the best yet on a Bolt Thrower album, and the songwriting is memorable. Each and every track on the album are simply killer material.

In my world "Those Once Loyal" is close to perfection when we´re talking this type of death metal. Which means death metal relying on brutality and simple riffs as opposed to death metal focused on technical playing or progressive ideas. A 4 - 4.5 star (85%) rating is deserved.
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