When you see a blue head, bursting from the inside on the cover artwork, you know the music must be good. The blue head in question belongs to Nothingness who come from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA and ‘Godslaughter’ is the third full-length album in their discography.
What is remarkable here is that the band consists of six members; they have a synth player in the line-up. I must admit I don’t hear much of his parts throughout the album; mainly the music is straightforward Death Metal.
The start is given by ‘Incinerated Immediately’ and you will hear blastbeats, heavy and darkened guitar riffs and the deep growls of Barclay Olson. Incantation seems to be a serious inspiration for Nothingness as well as the ominous sound of Demilich. ‘Trenchant Glunch’ offers some Black Metal guitar shredding and the dark diabolical feel of the Immolation works. The vocals possess a sort of variety since there are not only monstrous grunts but also higher screams and shouts. ‘Vanquishing Providence’ crushes the listener with a murderously slow Funeral Doom/Death start before erupting into a blasting frenzy; same is the formula in ‘Divine Irresponsibility’ where slow and fast passages alternate all the time. The short and sweet ‘Incredible Violence’ offers some groove parts amidst a headbanging speed and the end of this record comes with the 7-minute long ‘Novus Hegemonikon’ which is an epic dark Death Metal journey which somehow reminds me of the Florida legends Brutality.
All in all ‘Godslaughter’ is an interesting album that has plenty to offer if you are into a darkened Death Metal sound. Some of the tracks are too long for my taste but this is a matter of opinion so if you still haven’t heard the new Nothingness record then check it out because it really deserves attention.
