The use of an HM-2 pedal. it will always earn my approval. In many cases, I’m also inclined to be lenient towards music that is powered by that very same pedal. That is, at least when we’re talking about Old School Death Metal. Once other influences get involved, Hardcore, Crust, or Punk, for instance, the tolerance drops.
With Lunar Blood, the fondness for Hardcore clearly comes through while they’re doing their take on Swedish Death Metal. It grinds, it hacks, it pulverises, the chainsaw tone does its job, and there’s a fair amount of variation, with the slow-paced ‘Gnawed’as a notable example. Yet, after several listens, I find it doesn’t really stick with me.
If someone told me it’s a wild ride live, I’d believe them straight away. But personally, I find myself reaching once more for something that’s 100% Old School Swedish Death Metal.
