BLOODBATH — Unblessing the Purity (review)

BLOODBATH — Unblessing the Purity album cover EP · 2008 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Unblessing the Purity" is an EP release by Swedish death metal act Bloodbath. The EP was released through Peaceville Records in March 2008. It bridges the gap between the band´s 2nd and 3rd full-length studio albums "Nightmares Made Flesh (2004)" and "The Fathomless Mastery (2008)". There have been two lineup changes since the release of "Nightmares Made Flesh (2004)" as lead vocalist Peter Tägtgren has been replaced by a returning Mikael Åkerfeldt, and guitarist/bassist Dan Swanö has been replaced by Per 'Sodomizer' Eriksson. The remaining members of the lineup are Anders Nystrom (guitars), Jonas Renkse (bass), and Martin Axenrot (drums). All prolific names who are associated with acts like Opeth, Katatonia, and Witchery.

Stylistically the 4 tracks on the 15:39 minutes long EP continue the old school Swedish death metal style of "Nightmares Made Flesh (2004)", although it´s generally a little faster paced and slightly more brutal. Mikael Åkerfeldt´s growling vocals are slightly more gutteral and less aggressive compared to Peter Tägtgren´s ditto, but it´s not a change that makes a major difference as both are great growling vocalists.

"Blasting the Virginborn" opens the EP in a convincing brutal manner. It´s the kind of death metal track which will leave you breathless as a result of the intensity and brutality on display. Bloodbath are more than just a brutal death metal act though, and they successfully incorporate heavier parts and semi-melodic guitar themes/leads, which ensures variation and dynamics. "Weak Aside" is another really strong track and the same can be said about both "Sick Salvation" and "Mouth of Empty Praise".

So the compositional part of the album and the performances by the band are of high class, and when those elements are paired with the raw, powerful, and brutal sounding production featured on "Unblessing the Purity", it makes for one intense death metal listen. It´s no coincidence that Bloodbath are often mentioned among the greatest retro death metal acts on the scene. They are not only skilled musicians, but also understand how to write a death metal tune which has great impact on the listener. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is deserved.
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