Wisconsin death metallers Morta Skuld are back with their first full-length album in twenty years titled ‘Wounds deeper than time’. The year 2016 has been such a great year in Metal. We saw some very important bands in the history of metal making comebacks, and other bands putting out some insane and creative records, and what’s to complain if the same dosage of brutality continues to being served the right way.
This Nine-track beast of an album is a death metal classic, and is going to gain special attention in the minds of the old school death metal lovers. The album packs a distinct punch of groove and a tad bit of technicality. “Breathe in the black” is one vicious opener of a track. With relentless drumming, evil riffs and a dense bass line, it sets the mood for the album. The second track “Hating Life” is going to conjure mosh pits inside your head. Its one of my favorite tracks on the record.
“My weakness” shows consistency with the evil tone of the album until now. You are going to enjoy the great platter of palm muted riffing and amazing solos being served. However, at this point, the album might starts to sound a bit monotonous to a few listeners, as not much different is being attempted in terms of dynamics. I personally believe that to be OK. One needs to understand and embrace this nature of straight up death metal, because it is what it is – true to its roots.
Moving further into the album, we have “Against the Origin” which is a a mid tempo song and one of those raw, classic death metal tracks which is going to make you want to raise them horns up in the air and bang your heads. “In Judgment” is a track that just screams old school with its raw blast beats, tremolo picks and a mean solo. It makes way for the title track that is one hell of a track and a definite mosh pit starter. I can totally imagine this song slay when being played live.
The album has notably some great drumming and rhythm guitar playing, and absolutely deserves appreciation from the death metal masses. Towards the end, the album does continue its constant deliverance of brutality in songs like “Devour the chaos” and “Becoming one flesh”. This listening experience is going to be cherished by any death metal lover. It is evident that death metal has evolved over the years to its numerous varieties today. Sticking to the simple old formula is something brave enough by itself, and being able to absolutely nail it. Pure Respect to these gentlemen.
Evil and brutality being the constants, this record is going to melt your brains. ‘Wounds deeper than time’ by Morta Skuld is a celebration of the spirit of old school death metal. It may not be one of those ground breaking records, where rules would have been broken, but it is sure one of those records which has its own signature sound and thrives in its simplicity.