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SOUL OF DEATH
Spiritual Disease

Nefast (2023)
Rating: 7/10

Somewhat more suited to the death metal scene a decade or so ago, Dominican Republic band Soul Of Death comes equipped with quite a bark in its quest for putting its respective country on the map.

In a sense no frills, and yet infectious through its savagery, this debut full-length opus rattles in all the right places and comes rich with melody too, whether in its solos or its tight dynamics which at times can hint at a tamer version of Deicide. Even so, the mix of pace, the well-crafted songs and the hefty vocal coughs will provide enough intensity for anyone who likes well-produced death metal.

I was concerned that due to its melodious streaks that the album may sacrifice atmosphere, but the excellent ‘Blood Drinker’s Requiem’ really does build well and the glinting, mid-paced strategy suggests a band showcasing a great deal of maturity and above all an eye for traditional influences. The title track has that same theme whereby the guys build with suspense and then successfully marry extreme vocal barks with a measured, mid-tempo groove before slithering into more aggressive tones.

Admittedly there are times when some tracks seem to merge into one. ‘Apocalypse’ for example is all too familiar and it could be argued that the savagery the band displays, such as on ‘Unleash The Dragon’, is all too fleeting throughout this record. However, Spiritual Disease remains a steady death metal album which certainly benefits from its varying shades.

Neil Arnold

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