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Swedish riff sorcerers LIK have charged back into the forefront of the classic death metal scene with their fourth album Necro. Incorporating the shock-horror elements as well as all the ingredients of the great and glorious genre. The quartet stand proudly, churning out monstrous riffs combined with vicious melodies. For the last decade, LIK have been a flag bearer for the traditional sound of Swedish death metal. Combining a dyed in the wool love for the genre and an immense sense of joy in what they create. They’ve continuously built upon they’re previous albums and this latest offering is undoubtedly a stand out milestone in their career.
This is an album that takes you on a tour de gore. The screaming feedback the plunges into a blast beat driven pulveriser of opener Deceased should leave no in any doubt that LIK are here to set it up once again. All the hallmarks of their native genre tightly packaged and delivered with technical precision yet counterweighted with a passion that ensures every note is felt with an authentic gut punch.
Necro takes a turn at delving into facets of the human condition. Fields of Death takes on a brutal battlefield landscape. Delivering punishing riffs and thunderous rhythms while the guttural vocals narrate the actions of a crazed soldier. Take a heavy metal trip into a feverish nightmare with Worms Inside. Arguably the heaviest track on an album that is wall to wall crushing power. The imagery that the four-piece conjure is as potent as the music is commanding.
The ten tracks on offer will leave little room for breath and almost certainly no respite. The aforementioned tracks are dark enough, but LIK are happy to go further, Morgue Rat is gruesome. The track broods and swirls as the nature of the narrative unfolds in horrifying details. For all the dark depths that the band plunge into, there is a balanced nuance with the breakdowns matching the timbre. Yet somehow, they’re still able to create a powerful high. The subject matter is ruinously gloomy in places, but their passion for the music does shine through and they are able to write a hook that brings a giant smile while the lyrics crash around. This is pure unbridled fun and at every turn LIK deliver nigh on perfect Swedish death metal.
While they could be seen to be playing at safe by remaining within the pre-determined boundaries of their chosen genre. The fact that at every turn they nail the specifics that make death metal so particularly glorious showcases that they are in fact masters of their craft. While in some instances it’s great when a band breaks new ground and pushes limits. In many other cases is sublime when a band can also display the fundamentals to such an extent that it makes a tried and tested formula sound fresh and invigorating. That’s what LIK have achieved here.
It’s bloody, its gory and utterly visceral. LIK tick all the extremities off the death metal list and Necro surges with a palpable power. It’s a fun record that will bring about an enormous grin to match the sore neck that is guaranteed with these tracks of pure distilled Swedish death metal excellence.
Rating: 8/10
NECRO is out now via Metal Blade Records.
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The post ALBUM REVIEW: Necro – Lik appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
