Bloodbath The Fathomless Mastery

Bloodbath 'The Fathomless Mastery' (Peaceville, 2008)

Two words: Death Metal.

A Swedish supergroup, not unlike Murder Squad, but instead of focusing on the fetid remains of Autopsy, worshipping at Morbid Angel's Altar of Madness. This is beyond the bands who have Morbid Angel as their main influence and then attempt to create something new, this is unholy and unsurpassable homage.

Although I have had the pleasure of being in some great bands I have yet to experience the joy of being in the room with three or four complete fanboys of one band or another and being able to immediately recreate their signature sound. Lucky members of Entombed and Dismember used to jam Autopsy riffs when having a carry out in their practice room and came up with Murder Squad and 'The Fathomless Mastery' sounds as if members of Opeth and Katatonia cracked open a few beers and endlessly jammed 'Covenant' and 'Domination' era Morbid Angel.

Musicians at the absolute top of their game take time out from the day job and produce a no frills Death Metal beast of an album. Mikael Akeffeldt belies his recent proclamations of having grown out of metal by delivering the greatest David Vincent vocals since 'Covenant'; the phrasing, timing, enunciation is so spot on it's like Rory Bremner has taken up Death Metal. Drummer Martin 'Axe' Axenrot also blasts mercilessly which sounds a lot more enjoyable than the latest Level 42, or Opeth if you prefer, album.

'Blackheim' and 'Sodomizer' also break out the lava worship in massive flows and chop and change riffs like Azagthoth never discovered techno. It's apparent from every deathly groove that this is the sound of guys revelling in what they're doing; you can imagine them high fiving each other as they pull yet another false harmonic out of the bag.

I bought this based on the brilliant 'Where the Slime Lives' tribute 'Mock the Cross' and I was not disappointed. Of course Morbid Angel loom over the entire offering, but there is enough originality and enthusiasm to make the album stand on its own. The lyrics are brilliant in their direct fury; think 'Blood on my Hands' rather than 'Angel of Disease, and with tracks which sound as good as their titles; 'Drink from the Cup of Heresy', Slaughtering the Will to Live' and 'At the Behest of their Death', believe me, you cannot lose.

Peace