So, they have returned. A resurrection indeed. My once favourite technical death metallers who released the early classics such as 'Consuming Impulse', and the later complex epics such as 'Spheres'...and, what goes around comes around, because for some reason, the new Pestilence is attempting to recreate the old. Out with the new, in with the old, and I'm not sure I'm liking it! Back in the early '90s death metal took a refreshing twist when a majority of bands, Atheist, Cynic and these guys, dabbled in a little bit of experimentation within their already extreme sound. The bands became cult heroes even if the jazzy elements and odd, progressive interludes alienated some headbangers, but hey, these bands were masterful musicians, so to hear these godly deathsters pounding out this almost one-dimensional blur is a little disheartening. Sure, it's pretty brutal, vocally far more dense than even the bands early classics and the music is relatively punishing, but where is the identity of this band ? Nowhere to be seen I'm afraid, and it hurts to say that.
Death metal was once a relatively narrow-sounding field with countless bands sounding similar, and now Pestilence have simply gone back to that bog standard style of thrashing, with the frantic drums and hurtling guitars. Yep, there's plenty there for the ferocious headbanger, but when so long has passed between albums, as a resurrection this falls flat on its face like a zombie with no legs. Hardcore death metal freaks will disagree, but those who remember Pestilence will be very disappointed.
5/10
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