This Dutch quintet pushed pedal to the metal for 15 years, but only managed to release one full-length album, 'Storm of the Horde', in 2003. Their trade was death/thrash metal, the fast way.

That reflects to song lengths, which are mostly between 2 and 3 minutes, with only three songs over the 3-minute mark. So, prepare to get sweaty! A big portion of the album advances with blast beating and tremolo riffing, but the band knew how to, or they needed to, fluctuate to a tad slower tempos; repetitive strain injury, who wants it anyway?! These changes in pace aren't surprising, but appropriate. That said, the band still do not have many other tricks in their sleeves. And that is the main shortcoming here: This gets samey pretty damn fast!

On the guitars department, we get heavy-handed riffing, insane and reckless soloing (not happening on every song), and even some harmonies and melodies (the title track is an obvious one, and 'Blind Envy' a good pick). The guitars sound quite flat and a bit muddled. They sound better during tremolo parts, because they lack power for the slower periods. The drummer Michiel van der Plicht is familiar to me; I have albums from 6 bands he's been or is in. He's a skillful player for sure, and certainly handled these hectic tempos without any problem, and even gives some playful here and there. The drums are loudest in the pack, and are not triggered. The bass guitar is there, competing with them kick drums, but is still audible in the mix.

The vocals are mostly upper throat mangling sounds, like distorted barking, screamy voices, and are nasty and pushed to the limit. There's a few lines of lower growling on one track, but that's rather feeble. The typical lyrical setting includes demonic and war as main courses, and a couple of social commentaries as side dishes.

All in all, Katafalk's fast death/thrashings highly reminds me of Sweden's deathrace kings The Crown, and their fellow citizens God Dethroned, but only during 'Bloody Blasphemy' era (1999). This album, however, is not nowhere near as broad-minded or violent. However, if you want some fast death/thrash, then this could make your day, but do not expect any miracles.

Rating: 7- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
06/06/2022 10:22