WEAK ASIDE - Forward Into Darkness LP (Black Vinyl)

In terms of death metal, it’s quite a varied hybrid of styles and sounds. Firstly, Bolt Thrower-isms are easily recognisable within their martial churn, but there’s also a Swedish tinge to their rumble with a recognisable nod to Dismember in their melodies and grimy riffage. Also, vocally I hear a faint twang of John Tardy from time to time amongst the regular death growls, with opener ‘The Next Offensive’ very much coming on as a bastardized Obituary track. ‘Alive’ opens with a very Swedish vibe, with echoing multi-tracked melodies weeping a thoroughly threatening atmosphere, building into a crescendo of trudging Bolt Thrower-inspired carnage. The opening bars of ‘Storm of Violence’ have an almost Carcass styled vibe to them, with eerie phrasing and a mid-paced pay off, chugging diesel fumes and grinding bones.