US stalwart death metallers Malevolent Creation have been causing severe neck injuries since the end of 1980s with various line-ups. Maybe it is the changing line-up, that keeps the energy level up, because 'Warkult' is the band's ninth full length album, already the 3rd one released on 21st century, so this platter could be badly fatigued.

The band sound energetic and also anxious to do some good death fucking metal! 'Warkult' deals a working dose of US death metal. This will not rise into a "kult" status for sure, as this offers nothing groundbreaking. And it shouldn't, really. There's some very good songs on offer: the callous opener 'Preemptive Strike' gladly doesn't do what its title says, my favourite 'Section 8' mixes Bolt Thrower -esque march and Kataklysm type melodiousness, a bit more thrashy 'Tyranic Oppression' and 'Shock and Awe', plus the cool cover of Hobbs' Angel Of Death song 'Jack the Ripper'. But sadly, none of the songs is even closely classic material. While mainly based on old school Florida death metal (come on, you really don't hear the similarities between this and a Deicide album??!!), 'On Grounds of Battle' reminds me of Amon Amarth and is kind of a welcome change to familiar pattern. So there's enough blast beats and double kick drum stuff, believe me.

Weakest link here is the vocalist Kyle Symons, who is a man of one growl... He just sounds monotonous. Gladly he packs enough power and basically his low growl is bestial as fuck. Some piled vocal tracks help a bit, but still it is too monotonous. Drummer Dave Culross must be merited for providing the beat and throwing in some interesting and cool tricks every now and then without losing any power. This guy can handle the kit! Sound-wise this album is organic, not very clean at all, but a powerful kick in the stomach.

'Warkult' offers pretty well done death metal, which is memorable for a big part. Plus it's energetic and powerfully performed, too. But it does not belong among the great albums of its style, just above average, because after all it leaves me a bit cold. So I suggest you to try some free downloads of it first, because you've heard this many times before, if you're not a virgin to the style.

Rating: 7 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
12/13/2007 19:22