It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to review the new fifth full-length album of the Bulgarian Death Metal machine Concrete: ‘Absent Mortality’. The guys in the band (Kalin Kolev: guitars/vocals, Zhivko Stoyanov: bass, Peter Dimitrov: guitars and Pavlin Nikolov: drums) are part of the Bulgarian Extreme Metal scene since 2011 and managed to establish a name for themselves as one of the most prominent and talented bands in Bulgaria. I follow the band since their debut EP ‘Annihilation of Humans’ from 2012 and I can honestly say that this new record ‘Absent Mortality’ is their most accomplished and brutal work to date.
The beginning is set by ‘Eminent in Suffering’ which attacks your ears with a whirlwind of blasting drumming, throbbing bass lines, heavy guitar riffs and the deep growls of Kalin Kolev. There is a mix between deep and high vocals in the best Deicide tradition. The audio slaughter continues with ‘Midnight Demigod’ with neck-breaking speed and some scorching guitar leads. This track has some of the dark essence typical for the Immolation sound. One good point of this album is the fact that not everything is subjected to relentless aggression and brutality. Concrete know how to play groove guitar riffs like that Morbid Angel-like part in ‘Charnel Expulsion’. It is obvious that the Concrete guys are seasoned and talented musicians; you can hear plenty of tempo changes and intricate guitar playing like in ‘Inversion of Grace’ or the thrashy ‘Eternity Renounced’ which alternates between galloping rhythm and lightning-fast blastbeats. Another excellent tune is ‘Blood Upon the Necronomicon’ with its merciless sonic brutality and scorching guitar solos. The end of this magnificent album comes with the pummeling ‘Volatile Skin’ which leaves your battered bloody corpse willing for more of the same brutal treatment.
The production of ‘Absent Mortality’ is on a very good level and everything sounds the way an excellent Death Metal record should sound. So if you need some top notch quality Death Metal in your life then this new Concrete album is something to look out for. Check out also their previous releases because each one deserves a listen.
