POLTERCHRIST
Engulfed By The Swarm
Season Of Mist Records
Death Metal
7/10
Polterchrist transmits fierce death metal and tuneful moody movements with ease on their latest 'Engulfed By The Swarm'. My biggest complaint about the record is that the vocals are pushed back in the mix, rendering the Quarthon-like howls of vocalist Kevin McClintock difficult to hear at times.
That said, this band's style of composition is unique, ranging from swirling Death Angel style riffery to squealing harmonics which lend a nod to death metal giants Pestilence. The album cover art is pretty cool; featuring strangely mutated locusts overtaking a Japanese city...I enjoy the originality of this concept, which is not your run-of-the-mill death metal fare.
An electronic intro kicks off 'The Art Of Ferocity' and when the vocals set in, I am reminded a bit of The Kovenant until the band settles into a straight forward thrashing jam which makes you feel as if you are looking over the edge of the abyss...Veterans of the Philadelphia metal scene, Polterchrist display a high degree of originality on tracks like 'Alone' with it's ethereal, lost sounding vocal beckons and the chilling 'Desolate Paradise'.
Remixing this album so that the vocals (which are actually quite masterful) were more clear and upfront would add another point to the rating.
Written By: Maggot Farmer
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