this is the veteran death metal of LOUDBLAST (France)

Loudblast (France): Burial Ground (Listenable Records)

Loudblast’s early recordings are from 1985, and the debut “Sensorial Treatment” (1989) stands at the line between thrash and death, while “Disincarnate” (1991) is full-fledged death metal. “Sublime Dementia” (1993) ups the level of musicianship. In short, Loudblast goes a long way back, from the 80s, 90s, to today, with a couple of pauses in action throughout that time.

Loudblast 2014 is in its own world of death metal, with old and newer values coexisting. What really stands out, in my opinion, is the band’s refusal to be retro or to rehash “old school” riffs, while still working with a fairly traditional death framework. They are doing something right, challenging themselves and finding other ways to be death metal, other ways to be Loudblast. The band represents quality in death metal, maintaining a certain classic-style execution, while utilizing a rather modern production. The album is solid, memorable, and one that I recommend to those listeners that are a bit pickier about the genre.

Unfortunately, some reviews have said that Loudblast is not too memorable or that there is something that doesn’t connect with the listener. Yet, the evidence shows that this is not the case at all: Loudblast is as catchy as can be: “Darkness Will Abide,” “Soothing Torments,” “From Dried Bones,” all show a band that is able to write compositions with direct impact. “From Dried Bones” demonstrates that Loudblast can bring melody in a big way to its traditional death metal whenever those passages are desired. Loudblast could make all the songs this way, which would make it all a formula of “melodic death metal,” but Loudblast is death metal, not “melodeath.”

On the other hand, a song like “I Reach the Sun” is purposely less linear, a bit doomier and less melodic. But it’s the interplay between different sides of Loudblast, that’s where the fun is. Actually, “I Reach the Sun” goes into death metal mode in some segments and even has small touches of melody, so it’s not like it’s something strange. It’s too bad that the album has been received with such narrow expectations, but it’s not like Loudblast has gone off the deep end here. It’s still very much traditional death metal, with a few nods to different forms of modern metal. The vocals remain deep and gruff; the riffing says “death metal” on it; the soloing is enjoyable; and the skills and experience of the band are obvious.

The people in Loudblast know what they are doing; they are not new to this game. I’m pleased with this album, and will definitely keep it in the library for future listens. Personally, I trust that the old man Stéphane Buriez and company know themselves, so I’m not going to dismiss the veterans as if they are some new-jack band in town, especially when the work has so many positive aspects, and virtually nothing about which I can complain.

www.loudblast.org

www.facebook.com/Loudblast.official?fref=ts Loudblast - From Dried Bones (Live EnormeTV)

Loudblast - Ascending Straight In Circles OFFICIAL VIDEO