I Chaos - Masterbleeder

This is this Dutch bands second full length release following a four year recording break. Many albums have come and gone in this time period, but "Masterbleeder" is a gem worth spinning, its very memorable. The main draw for me is the Morbid Angel undercurrent influence, tight, precise choppy death metal with a few variations of time signatures and a slab of brutality thrown in for good measure. The jewel feature for this album is the effortless arrangements that sound vibrant, coupled with some deft musicianship.

The entire release is full of energy, based on their previous bands and their last album, this is their blueprint and this should be received very well. Whilst many bands now try to recapture the glory days, I Chaos have harnessed this passion but beefed up the style to push the extremities much further over the edge. For example, ‘Instrument Of Tyranny’ begins quite groovy, before taking you by the throat and unleashing a hammer blow as the track develops. ‘Glorious Defeat’ also sinks the smooth sailing ship in one big swoop of energy. The tightness, the drumming in particular is top class and I love the guitar solos and riffs that simply ooze classic death metal.

"Masterbleeder" is one hell of a ride, it’s a perfect soundtrack to those wanting a touch more than mere hero worship within this field of extremity. It ticks loads of boxes, it hammers you into submission and it’s mixed to perfection without a sample of this and that that really bugs me from time to time. If you like your death metal, you need to get this album.