BODYFARM (nl) - The Coming Scourge - LP (ltd. SILVER Vinyl)
NEW
Cyclone Empire, re-press of the 2013 second full-length album on 180g heavy silver vinyl, numbered sticker, gatefold sleeve!
1. Unbroken 3:20
2. Frontline Massacre 3:23
3. Vortex Of Terror 3:40
4. The Coming Scourge 4:37
5. Eden's Destruction 1:17
6. The Well Of Decay 3:04
7. The Frozen Balls 3:55
8. Der Landkreuzer 3:24
9. The Sige Of The Mind 4:48
10. Enter The Eternal Fire 6:19 Cover Song
2. Frontline Massacre 3:23
3. Vortex Of Terror 3:40
4. The Coming Scourge 4:37
5. Eden's Destruction 1:17
6. The Well Of Decay 3:04
7. The Frozen Balls 3:55
8. Der Landkreuzer 3:24
9. The Sige Of The Mind 4:48
10. Enter The Eternal Fire 6:19 Cover Song
Review THE METAL OBSERVER:
"Midway through 2012, Dutch four-piece Bodyfarm put out Malevolence, a groove tinged chugaholics wet dream and savvy throwback to old-school death metal in both it’s US and Scandinavian varieties. As of September 2013 the band have returned with The Coming Scourge, another solid entry following very much in the same footsteps as it’s predecessor.
To give Bodyfarm an appropriate overseas counterpart, I’d describe them as the Jungle Rot of the Netherlands. At this rate they seem perfectly comfortable with sticking to their formula, and though this approach can pose problems somewhere down the line, a good formula is often worth staying with – for better or worse. As much as the OSDM force is strong on The Coming Scourge, its well complimented by a meaty production and booming low-ends with riffs that, whilst weak at times, (likely due to vocalist Thomas Wouters juggling guitar duties) do succeed in jumping out of the mix and giving you a good fright. This couldn’t be more evident than on “The Well of Decay” where a scathing blackened refrain flirts alongside an array of skilled harmonies, one of the more melodic tracks on the record and a definite stand-out moment.
The guitar tone is reminiscent of the classic buzz-saw à la Entombed, with the odd spattering of clean sections which helps keep things frosty. Wouters’ vocals are guttural but remain intelligible throughout the record, rekindling my vivid fantasies of a John Tardy/Martin van Drunen bastard child. Bouncing gleefully from slow, booming passages akin to Bolt Thrower to pounding, intricate thrash; there’s a startling degree of flexibility shown here that makes me believe Bodyfarm have no reason to limit their horizons. Though most impressive about The Coming Scourge is how the record manages to seamlessly blend these various elements together into a package which is distinctly familiar yet thoroughly listenable. Hard to pull off, but this relatively young band have done it.
With all this madness occurring, it’s frighteningly easy to overlook some of the weaker aspects. The album reaches something of a peak with the aforementioned “The Well of Decay” and this is where the quality of the songwriting takes a punch. A little punch, more of a love-tap, but it’s noticeable. “The Frozen Halls”, whilst featuring possibly the best vocal performance on the record, also happens to be the dullest track, with a ‘cutting room floor’ riff overplayed 12 too many times. “Enter the Eternal Fire” is a solid Bathory cover, not expanding a great deal on the original, but it’s a welcome addition and matches the mood of the album quite nicely. Bodyfarm have a gift for writing great riffs, so playing fast works immensely to their advantage. The tempo takes a dive on the last four tracks leaving the album in a strange state of respite. This is a track order issue more than anything, as “Vortex of Terror” or “The Well of Decay” would feel more in place during the latter half of the record.
This aside, the album is a brilliant follow up to a promising debut. Intense, brooding and a superb example of modern death metal dextrously infused with old-school dynamics. It’s no secret that the Netherlands has a rich metal history, and The Coming Scourge prospers in living up to its heritage. Highly recommended."
To give Bodyfarm an appropriate overseas counterpart, I’d describe them as the Jungle Rot of the Netherlands. At this rate they seem perfectly comfortable with sticking to their formula, and though this approach can pose problems somewhere down the line, a good formula is often worth staying with – for better or worse. As much as the OSDM force is strong on The Coming Scourge, its well complimented by a meaty production and booming low-ends with riffs that, whilst weak at times, (likely due to vocalist Thomas Wouters juggling guitar duties) do succeed in jumping out of the mix and giving you a good fright. This couldn’t be more evident than on “The Well of Decay” where a scathing blackened refrain flirts alongside an array of skilled harmonies, one of the more melodic tracks on the record and a definite stand-out moment.
The guitar tone is reminiscent of the classic buzz-saw à la Entombed, with the odd spattering of clean sections which helps keep things frosty. Wouters’ vocals are guttural but remain intelligible throughout the record, rekindling my vivid fantasies of a John Tardy/Martin van Drunen bastard child. Bouncing gleefully from slow, booming passages akin to Bolt Thrower to pounding, intricate thrash; there’s a startling degree of flexibility shown here that makes me believe Bodyfarm have no reason to limit their horizons. Though most impressive about The Coming Scourge is how the record manages to seamlessly blend these various elements together into a package which is distinctly familiar yet thoroughly listenable. Hard to pull off, but this relatively young band have done it.
With all this madness occurring, it’s frighteningly easy to overlook some of the weaker aspects. The album reaches something of a peak with the aforementioned “The Well of Decay” and this is where the quality of the songwriting takes a punch. A little punch, more of a love-tap, but it’s noticeable. “The Frozen Halls”, whilst featuring possibly the best vocal performance on the record, also happens to be the dullest track, with a ‘cutting room floor’ riff overplayed 12 too many times. “Enter the Eternal Fire” is a solid Bathory cover, not expanding a great deal on the original, but it’s a welcome addition and matches the mood of the album quite nicely. Bodyfarm have a gift for writing great riffs, so playing fast works immensely to their advantage. The tempo takes a dive on the last four tracks leaving the album in a strange state of respite. This is a track order issue more than anything, as “Vortex of Terror” or “The Well of Decay” would feel more in place during the latter half of the record.
This aside, the album is a brilliant follow up to a promising debut. Intense, brooding and a superb example of modern death metal dextrously infused with old-school dynamics. It’s no secret that the Netherlands has a rich metal history, and The Coming Scourge prospers in living up to its heritage. Highly recommended."