Death metal band Volturyon hail from a small Swedish locality called Borlänge, which is only 150 kilometres from Stockholm. The distance is enough for the band to not to carry the infamous, raw "Stockholm sound", but more technical and modern.

Volturyon hit listener with speed, plus both pile-driving blunt force groove as well as surgical steel slashes. Blast beat tempos with wild fretboard finger runs against slower tempos and heavier rhythm guitars. Well, they handle the pace fluctuations without any bumps, so no ragged terrain there. Think of Aborted, Vomitory and Cannibal Corpse smashed together. The band sound very potent indeed, but the thing they miss to some point is individuality. That's nothing new with modern bands, and while 'Cleansed by Carnage' is the band's third full-length album (plus an EP), they still sound faceless, even though they have this chainsaw wielding maniac mascot, that continues his human mutilation on the cover. Chainsaw wielding mascot? Yeah, like it was somehow different, then...

Cannibal Corpse style squealing guitar playing and riffing, and Swedish melodiousness (not like Arch Enemy or In Flames, but more like Hypocrisy and Centinex), add some moments of "listen to this, guys!" Sometimes it's like being home, yes, but it also sounds kind of distant and lukewarm. It's not easy, or maybe not even intentional, to spot the difference between most of the songs. Slower and somehow more German in its vibe 'Hinterkaifeck' is a nice exception in that equation, though. There are a few hints of grinding and thrashing here and there, too, but it's perfectly clear, that Volturyon deliver death metal, and none of them this-slash-that styles. Visit at the 'Molestation' is a really very different trip than the band's own frolics, mind you.

But yeah, the band can deliver brutality, that is for sure. The production really multiplies their strength. Even on the faster parts, it's easy to hear what is happening. Guitars that combine metal might and rocking ripping, are backed by fantastically loud rhythm section: The pounding bass and tight drums, that do not sound like they are crippled with triggering. Vocals are comprehensible low guttural output, that suffer from being a bit unvarying.

I didn't find enough to grab to on songwriting, even though the band deliver it with power. But if you miss Vomitory and are looking for that kind of material, you should check Volturyon out, definitely. Just don't expect to find a true motherload.

Rating: 7 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
09/27/2016 19:13