There’s no denying that Kam Lee is one of the forefathers of death metal. Not only that, but nearly 40 years since he initially formed Massacre, his love of this brutal music and the Lovecraftian horror he sings/growls of remains fervent as ever. With last year’s appropriately titled Resurgence marking the first full length release of newly recorded Massacre songs in 25 years, it’s no surprise that the death metal veterans have returned with a mini concept EP entitled Mythos. Is it possible these songs were written and recorded alongside Resurgence? More likely than not, yes, but by no means does this make it a “throwaway” release.
The attitude and delivery of Mythos is a throwback to the 80s when demos and EPs mattered. I’m not saying either format doesn’t matter today, but with the advent of any old schmo being able to upload their own demo/EP/split onto Bandcamp, they don’t hold the same weight as they did 30-40 years ago. I’m talking the golden age: Slayer’s Haunting the Chapel (1984), Hellhammer’s Apocalyptic Raids (1984), Destruction’s Sentence of Death (1984), and even Mantas’s Death by Metal (1984), Lee’s pre-Massacre outfit, which would later evolve into Death. While not nearly of the same creative caliber, Mythos captures that sound and spirit well.
The EP opens with the nefarious “Behind the Serpent’s Curse”. This is old school death metal that thrashes hard and bludgeons even harder, thanks to some downright repulsive hooks and breakdowns. It’s the perfect opener for such a release. “The Dunwich Horror” rages with primal intensity and unparalleled speed, bringing down the hammer of death upon those who pose. There’s also some more devastating mosh worthy breakdowns incorporated, conjured from the most brutal corner of the thrash spectrum. Think death/thrash with an emphasis on death.
“The Mythos That Lovecraft Built” capitalizes on this aforementioned death/thrash approach with its truly sinister riffage. The opening riff and mosh passage in particular scream old school/retro/80s/you get the idea. There’s also some killer soloing, courtesy of Memoriam guitarist Scott Fairfax, while Swedes Jonny Pettersson and Rogga Johansson hold down the riffs with heavy hands. Rounding it all out is “The Thing on the Doorstep”, and from the sounds of it, this isn’t something you want coming through your door! Massacre saved the deadliest for last, going straight for the jugular and even bordering on grind. A slice of Hellhammerian doom is added for good measure, because why the OUGH not?
Although their days of reinventing the wheel have long since passed (As I’ve said before, what death metal bands have even done so since the mid 90s anyways?), Massacre remains a force to be reckoned with, unleashing sheer chaos whether it be via full lengths, EPs, or the occasional surprise single. The more music we get from this death metal institution, the better. As far as I’m concerned, it sure beats waiting another 20+ years!
6 out of 10
Label: Nuclear Blast
Genre: Death/Thrash Metal
For fans of: Death, Obituary, Master