Wombbath – Tales of Madness

Band: Wombbath
Title: Tales of Madness
Label: Transcending Obscurity Records
Release date: 18 December 2020
Country: Sweden
Format reviewed: High-quality Digital Recording

Having been active for as long as they have, I guess it is only appropriate that Wombbath create something such as Tales of Madness, there is, if it is supposed to be some sort of a historical overview of the group´s work throughout the years. With their fifth full length album coming, as well as having multiple demos, EPs and splits under their belt, these swedes haven’t been sitting around with their hands in their laps.

The first three tracks, Tales From the Dark Side, Brutal Mights and Unholy Madness sure are a blast from the past, as all of them are originally on the Brutal Mights demo released in 1992. Each one of them reflects the classic old school death metal which is extremely true to the Swedish death metal tone with all the typical BOSS death metal-pedal with all the settings on 10. Even rerecorded, you have the same vibe as the originals and all that comes with it. Quite unusual in this genre however is the use of choirs but be sure to know it isn’t missing. The legacy holds up well.

Now, The Grave brings us back to the present, however it is obvious that this group is staying true to their old ways. The sense of rock n roll is present in this one while the drums make the track pop together with the riffs and tempo changes. Heaviness and chugg is up to par with today´s productions without any clutter with distortion and compression. Lavatory Suicide Remains originates from the EP Lavatory released in 1994, which again brings forth a classic feel and while the name of the track is gruesome enough, it does however start out beautifully.

Save your last Breath to Scream feels somewhat like Carcass when paying special attention to the drumming, mid-tempo parts with the ride cymbal always makes my head bob. Although as said before they stay true to their old ways, it does sound like they managed to mature nicely throughout the years. The title track, Tales of Madness, is another banger which shoves the vocals down the listeners throat, along with riffs that are almost thrash like. The Fleshly Existence of Man however brings on more melodic sound and a meaty riff, whispered voices, violins, and clean guitar. Quite the nightmarish feel.

This was an interesting experience. Firstly, you are thrown into the past before being brought back only to be thrown back again and so forth. Tales of Madness is quite the fitting name for this historical overview, and it is given that after all this time this group is alive and well, by the sound of it. They have matured nicely over the years, perfected their instrumental abilities and moved into creating new music for Wombbath. 8/10 Julia Katrin

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8/10 To Greatness and Glory!
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