Album Review: Death Collector – Death’s Toll

It may be their debut long player, but don’t be fooled by that status, for Death Collector have already caused a significant shake to the earth with their 2021 EP Time’s Up. The quartet gained attention, not just because of their membership but due to the veritable slice of punishment they served up. Defiant old school death metal delivered the old school way.

Death’s Toll swats that EP into the long grass. Nine tracks of thunderously brutal death metal, muscles glistening with definition and crafted to deliver maximum damage, from start to finish. The title track lays down the marker, and it’s a phenomenal opener. Kieran Scott’s rugged style has improved with every recording he makes, and the Ashen Crown frontman gives a career best performance here. His deep throated roars come from the depths of hell, with a rage that roars and growls with guttural velocity. It’s a performance that is maintained throughout.

“Mental Hedonist” is a gasoline fuelled power drive that allows former Bolt Thrower drummer Andy Whale to demonstrate why he is so revered in the metal world. His driving energy steers everything that is good on this album, brutish, pulverising in a relentless onslaught that flattens all in its path. It’s a reminder that the man remains at the top of his game.

If you like what we do, consider joining us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!

Whilst guitarist Mick Carey may have cut his lacerating parts in Ireland, the join is impossible to see or hear. This is an album that is completely cohesive, and Carey’s work is fluid and visceral, as one would demand. Slicing riffs, jagged but precise finishing – it’s here in spades. That just leaves Lee Cummings terrifying low end which threatens to destabilise bowel movements, such is the depth of range of ferocity it brings.

It’s sonically abusive, with no hiding place around. “Coarse Visions’, the bruising “Death Collector” and penultimate piledriver “Revel in the Gore” are all feral beasts, full of fire and ferocity that makes you either want more or channels and urge to flee.

Diving lyrically into darkness, contemplation about mortality, self-destruction of life and deeper, introspective reflection, Death Collector aren’t vying for a place on your cousin’s wedding playlist. Their intention is clear. Aural damage delivered in the way of the old gods but constructed with no little skill and conviction. The album features stellar performances from all the band, raw and aggressive, yet polished with a production that keeps them truly in the contemporary.

By the time you reach “Rearview Guilt”, the final piece in this metallic jigsaw, you’ll be reeling. There’s no option but to hit play and dive in again. This is a debut of brilliance, ferocious with no prisoners taken. In a year when the old school proved that they still have life, Death Collector’s combination of experience and keenness to prove themselves, is both refreshing and exciting.

Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!

Death’s Toll is out on June 23rd

Check out all the bands we review in 2023 on our Spotify and YouTube playlists!

DeathCollector: facebook | twitter | instagram | spotifybandcamp | youtube

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments