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Sweden’s Vomitory are usually billed as a “pure death metal band” and the description could not be more perfectly suited. Every one of Vomitory’s full-length albums is a fast assault of excellent death metal that seems to have one foot in the Swedish, and the other in the American, death metal genres. Sprinkled over the band’s long discography are a couple of bona fide classics, most notably the monstrous Blood Rapture from 2002.


Vomitory’s now mature, tried and true formula of caustic death metal is repeated on Opus Mortis VIII, obviously the band’s latest, and eighth, full-length album. Death metal descended from the Sunlight Studios-era of the Swedish sound combined with a huge influx of Slayer-esque riffs and solos is de rigueur from Vomitory, capped off with a huge, thick production that bursts from the seams with pure power.

Pacing varies between a fast gallop and an all out blast, never pausing for you to catch your breath (and give your neck a rest) before racing on to the next track. The songwriting is solid, as is usually the case from Vomitory, a band that could never be described as boring or self indulgent by death metal aficionados.

If you’re getting the picture that Vomitory are not particularly original (besides obvious Slayer influences, one could also argue that Vomitory are recycling Motörhead and Sodom riffs, as well), you’re correct. Frankly, who could possibly care as “pure death metal” as practiced by Vomitory is exactly that; no frills and take no prisoners, all out warfare that exists to snap your neck.

If you’ve been with Vomitory for their last few albums (or more), you’ll have no reason not to continue to do so as Opus Mortis VIII is excellent. If you’re new to Vomitory and have a taste for death metal (where have you been?), then start with Opus Mortis VIII and work your way backwards. A near death metal classic? Hell, I even love the album cover. You be the judge.

(released April 26, 2011 on Metal Blade Records)



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