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SABIENDAS
Restored To Life

Bret Hard (2013)
Rating: 7/10

There’s nothing like a bit of old school death metal to chew on after dinner. Sabiendas are a German band who has been prowling the sewers since their 2007 demo, which resulted in a nifty little EP in 2009 called Buried Alive. Restored To Life boasts nine sturdy death metal tracks, one of which, ‘Necrophobia’, appeared on the aforementioned Buried Alive EP, and that opens up this new release.

It’s fair to say that if you’re sick to death of all this modern sounding “slamming” metal that people are calling death metal, then it’s best to revert back to what you know best, and with bands like Sabiendas you may know what’s coming next, but it’s far more rewarding than irritating deathcore or whatever the youth of today like to call it.

Sabendias are fronted by the beastly Jan Edel, who is accompanied by drummer Toni Merkel, bassist F.T. and the guttural twin guitar attack of Christian Eichberger and Alexandra. Each member of this quintet have been in bands previously and gaining experience along the way, but they’ve clearly found their feet with Sabiendias and with this platter they’ve found a grimy nook between the dark festering sound of Morbid Angel and the grizzled gurgles of Benediction.

Edel’s vocals are decipherable yet always growled and throaty, bringing to mind the rough assault of Mark “Barney” Greenway (Napalm Death / Benediction) when he reached his peak on Benediction’s Subconscious Terror album (1990), and for the most part Sabiendas most certainly seem inspired by that band.

The drums of Merkel are precise, and while not overly complex they act as a perfect backbone to more direct, faster numbers such as ‘Prophet Of Blood’. But Sabiend are at their murkiest when they simmer, particularly on the mid-tempo rot of ‘Cheating Death’ with its churning intro and dense sounding guitars.

Sure, there are no frills on offer here, but just like so many countless bands from the late 80s and early 90s there is a sense of knowing that what these guys are trying to perfect, although already having been done, is the way forward, because there’s nothing as gore-infested or doom-laden as old school death metal. This is proven with the monstrous slab that is ‘Retributionist’, with its rattling drums and sombre riffs which interrupt the initial battering ram of sound. Again it’s another bassy, yet infectious mind-melter featuring a catchy hook and double vocal effect.

Sabiendas are more than happy to inject a hint of melody into their cavernous sound and the likes of ‘Blood Drenched Rack’ and epic album closer ‘Eternal Gloom’, with its warped riffing and slow morbid stirrings which remind me of Slayer, benefit from this, despite still being heavy chunks of maggot-infested flesh.

Restored To Life wins no points for originality, but then again, whoever said death metal was about substance over style? This is a good little record.

Neil Arnold

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