Over the past couple of years it seems as though that true Death metal has taken a backseat to many of the other forms of extreme metal. As Metalcore bands still seem to be at the forefront of this music genre, a lot of Grindcore, Melodic Metal, Tech Metal and even Power Metal bands have been shining through the surface, leaving many Death Metal bands behind. But as of recently this trend seems to be changing as a lot of new and young DM bands are starting to originate and resurge into the Extreme Metal community once again.

With that said I present you with Fleshgore a young three piece straight out of the Ukraine. You really do not hear of a lot of metal bands (or any band for that matter) coming from this country, but if Fleshgore is leading the way, than the Ukraine has an extremely crushing future ahead of them. This is Fleshgores third release to date, and by far their best. Although their last album was extremely brutal and intense, they have taken the best of that and honed it into a more technical and mature sound overall. Although their is only one guitarist in this band, he has as much talent, originality and screwed up time changes to take the places of three. Every riff is completely brutal and stomping, every break down catchy, and every single bit of guitar grinding on this disc falls nothing short of technically amazing. The drumming is superbly tight, not a single offbeat kick is to be heard on this ordeal, he compliments the entire band and seems to keep everyone on track. But what stands out the most on this album is the "singing." He has an extremely wide range in all aspects of demonic vocals. The super guttural, pig belching vocals are very appropriate with this style of metal, although sometimes I find it a bit amusing it fits in greatly here. The high pitch pig squeals are added in at exactly the right times, and the continuous screaming/screeching hold it all together. The vocals are just absolutely amazing and together with the dynamic song structures on this record, make it for a great listen all the way around.

I truly hope this what the future of Death metal is looking like, because if it is, than we will be treated with some beautifully disgusting music to look forward to. Even if Death Metal isn't your first choice of the metal genre you really need to hold your original impressions back and give this release a good listen to, because it will change your mind, and make you think a little differently about this form of extreme metal. Everyone needs to find a copy of this as soon as possible and just sit back and be demolished by it's sheer brutality. I expect big things from this band in the near future, and hope a US tour is on the way, because I will be there front and center.

*Listen or Die*