UMUR
"From the Devil's Tomb" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Canadian death metal act Weapon. The album was released through Agonia Records/The Ajna Offensive in November 2010. It´s the successor to "Drakonian Paradigm" from 2009 and features two lineup changes since the predecessor as guitarist Vileblood Dahcnial has been replaced by Apostle VIII and bassist Sabazios Diabolus has been replaced by Kha Tumos.
Stylistically the material on the 9 track, 54:18 minutes long album continue the blackened death metal style of the predecessor, but with an audibly higher level of professionalism in the songwriting and playing departments. And maybe even more audible in the quality of the sound production. The music is relatively brutal early 90s influenced occult themed death metal. Old school at it´s core, but with a slightly blackened edge to the vocals, which provides the music with a more contemporary edge. Fans of artists like Behemoth and Morbid Angel, should find lots to enjoy here.
The musicianship is on a high level on all posts. fast sharp death metal riffing, powerful drumming, and the snarling blackened death metal growl of lead vocalist/guitarist Vetis Monarch in front. The tracks are relatively complex and most of them in the longer end of death metal tracks, so while this isn´t exactly neither technical nor progressive death metal, it´s not easily accessible or especially hook laden death metal either (although there are certainly catchy moments here and there). It takes time and several listens to appreciate, but given the right number of spins, "From the Devil's Tomb" proves to be quite the intriguing listen. Savage and brutal, but ultimately also rather sophisticated in nature.
So upon conclusion "From the Devil's Tomb" is a high quality death metal release, and a big step up from the debut album. Weapon have improved in all departments, and they have managed to create a death metal album with just the right authentic old school death metal atmosphere and sound, but still without sounding like a clone of the early 90s "classics". a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.