Rape, Pillage & Burn - 'Songs Of Death, Songs Of Hell'

Straightforward , retro death metal in the Obituary/early Six Feet Under mold.

The new generation of death metal bands seems hell bent for technical mettle. Even death godfathers Cannibal Corpse make no secret of their desire to be known more for their unmatched musical talent than for featuring undead cunnilingus on an album cover. The problem with the technical fixation is that the new generation forgets there is more to music than mimicking the advanced levels of “Guitar Hero.” Remember, Cannibal wrote the lean fist-pounder “Born in a Casket,” long before they tried to make something as sophisticated as “Kill.”

More bands are turning their backs on the tech-fest and instead looking to minimalist classics like Obituary’s Slowly We Rot and the first generation of Morrisound-recorded death metal for inspiration. Dallas-based Rape Pillage & Burn has been around (in theory) since 1997. But the ensuing decade hasn’t made them want to sound any different; they admire and emulate the first generation of death metal. It’s a good decision; their short debut EP Songs Of Death, Songs Of Hell hints at a band with a grudge and a weakness for grooves akin to what Allen West laid down in Obituary’s heyday.

The mind-numbing variety of metal offerings does occasionally make this EP seem dated. There isn’t much variety here. But you have to respect a band that is sure of their sound and knows where to pin a guitar solo. And it seems that the metal audience needs a continual reminder that even classics like Celtic Frost’s “Morbid Tales,” favor the primal, not the pretty.

Thrash metal is entering another year of its comeback. Perhaps retro death metal will be the next step back. Even if it isn’t, I’ll be eager to hear what’s next from this band.