Have you ever wondered what Slayer would’ve sounded like had they kept the same formula as South of Heaven (1988) and Seasons in the Abyss (1990), but with a death metal twist? Look no further than Bear Mace. This death metal militia first came across my radar upon the release of their debut album, Butchering the Colossus (2017). While I enjoyed Butchering, it didn’t resonate with me nearly as much as their latest album, Charred Field of Slaughter.
Spearheaded by Chicago metal renaissance man Mark Sugar (or as he’s known in this project, Crossbow Death), Bear Mace is well equipped with an arsenal of riffs. They’ll pump lead in your head and leave you begging for more! The riffs, solos, and song structures in general are so Slayer-esque. I feel the only thing making this band “death metal” are the guttural vocals. Perhaps the meatiness of the riffs have something to do with it as well. This said meatiness has led to some comparisons to Bolt Thrower which I don’t necessarily understand. There might be similarities here and there, but Bear Mace isn’t your hipster dipshit trendhopping Bolt Thrower worship band. These are old dudes keeping it old school.
Another reason for the Bolt Thrower comparisons is that most of the tracks are mid tempo. And considering Bolt Thrower tends to be the golden standard for mid tempo death metal, perhaps it’s the quickest and easiest comparison to make? While the majority of Charred is in this vein, Bear Mace is sure to throw in a couple of neck snappers to mix things up. “Hibernation – Destroyed by Bears” kicks things off in bloodthirsty fashion. It truly is the musical equivalent of being destroyed by bears. “Plague Storm” is another cut that lives to its name. This is some ultraviolent death/thrash if I’ve ever heard it.
An interesting quality of this album is the way Bear Mace is quickly able to shift gears within a song. I’m not saying there’s any technical theatrics à la 90s Death or Sadus. But check out songs like “Brain Rot” and the title track. If you don’t think those breakdowns came out of nowhere, you’re a liar. The icing on this death metal cake is its production. All of the instruments are mixed front and center, loud and clear, not uncommon to the approach of the recently deceased Martin Birch. The end result is an assault on the senses that further intensifies the strength of the songs.
I’m not sure what else to say other than that Charred Field of Slaughter is a pleasant surprise. Bear Mace has avoided the “sophomore slump” with an album far deadlier, far lethal, and far more effective than their debut. Hibernation is over. The season of the bear is upon us and no one shall be spared!
8 out of 10
Label: Independent
Genre: Death Metal
For fans of: Slayer, Bolt Thrower, Vader