We’re no strangers to Polish death metal maestros SoulCarrion at the Midlands Rocks having reviewed their eponymously-titled first EP (here) and sophomore album Enthrone Death (here), and we found ourselves quite taken with their bombastic brand of metal. With no signs of slowing down, this tenacious twosome strike while the iron is hot and hit us with their latest release, the supremely satanic, seven song EP, Unholy Death Rituals. Dark, disconcerting and discombobulating (in short, everything good death metal should be), SoulCarrion are taking the genre into new realms of brutality.
Introduced by a riff that could trade blows with Black Sabbath (and possibly win), the opening to first track ‘Unholy Rape’ acts as a warning to the curious that’s akin to one of those “Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter” signs. However, if you are the type of soul who is brave enough to cross that line then you’ll be greeted with some of the best death metal that’s been produced this side of the millennium. Once the song kicks into life at around the minute mark, it kicks in hard and evidences a band who aren’t afraid to mix things up. There’s a whole load of variety on offer here (and, indeed, the whole EP) that’ll not only please deathheads, but black metal fans, thrashers, and the more hardy souls from the traditional metal community.
SoulCarrion comprise of only two permanent members; Greg (lead guitars) and Michał (rhythm/additional guitars and bass) and it is a combination that derives a lot of power from its reduced numbers. In terms of songwriting, it gives the pair a strong focus and the result are a set of songs that spring straight for the throat. Of course, they are supplemented by studio musicians with drummer Darek Młody beating a devilishly good tattoo and Vesper Locust raising the flames in the vocal department. Making a guest appearance on ‘Fire Of Revenge’ is singer Mateusz Sibila who turns in a typically caustic performance (Mateusz currently sings for Imperial Sin), and when all rolled into one attack with bloodlust and savagery.
With the spaces between the songs kept to a bare minimum, the overarching aesthetic to this EP is one of cold-blooded viciousness with the tracks landing like blows from a heavyweight boxer. Who knows where SoulCarrion will go next, but one thing’s for sure; it’s bound to be heavy.
- Unholy Death Rituals is released independently and is available now.
Track List:
- Unholy Rape
- Forlorn Morgue
- Antichristian Carnage
- Fire Of Revenge
- Depth Of Pain
- Deathritual
- Rehumanize
