The Maniac’s Banquet (Self Released)

 Finally this third release of this extreme UK Death/Black Metal act came to my hands… I must say I was greatly surprised by their first EP “One Nation Under Goat”; it mix of Death Metal with some bizarre Black Metal auras was a kick in the face… This second EP (and second work I have the honour of reviewing) shows a more Death Metal oriented progression, leaving behind some of the mentioned Black Metal atmospheres and including a much strong Thrashing feeling. The Thrash Metal influence seems to have replaced permanently the semi technical sound, reminding me the sound of Nunslaughter at moments. The melodic parts also seems to have been diminished, but are still present, at the fourth track “Faceless” you can distinguish some buried melodies behind the savage Death Metal structure, with really good results… The four tracks this Cd contains, show varied, yet crude and brutal, Death Metal compositions, ranging from mid paced pieces like “Nekrolog” (track that also includes some macabre slow paced passages) to blasting, brutal pieces such the mid to fast paced “Immortals” or the fast blasting “Deathworm”, this last one even reminded me a little the sound of bands like Incantation and Immolation in some infernal atmospheres. The voice of Goatthroat Talkea Smidt (who replaced the former vocalist Matt Von Ziegenstein) delivers mid to low tuned straight Death Metal growls, contributing enormously with this new and rawer facet. “The Maniac’s Banquet” a is considerable more hellish and obscurer sounding work in comparison with “One Nation Under Goat”, but still well produced and powerful sounding... The whole Cd presentation is also interesting; the cover art is definitely a remarkable detail, an infernal drawing by W. Smerdulak…What else to say? If you are into the straight Death Metal and love the thrashing hints ala Nunslaughter, “The Maniac’s Banquet” is a completely recommendable piece…also recommendable for the extreme and hellish music worshipers. (AP)