MOLOCH (MN) — Upon the Anvil (review)

MOLOCH (MN) — Upon the Anvil album cover Album · 2023 · Technical Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Upon The Anvil" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Minnesota based death metal act Moloch. The album was independently released in January 2023. Moloch formed in 2012 and released the "Cleansed by Fire" EP in 2015. Other than a very early change on the drummer position Moloch have had a steady permanent trio lineup since 2012.

Stylistically this is technical and relatively brutal death metal. The material is played at an extremely high pace throughout the album, and you´ll hear very few slower parts on "Upon The Anvil". While the tracks are arguably well composed and very well performed (these guys are incredibly skilled musicians), it doesn´t take more than a few tracks before a lack of variation within the songs and between the songs sets in. 9 tracks and a total playing time of 37:24 unfortunately feels much longer, because the album is one-dimensional in nature. A few surprises and more variation wouldn´t have hurt.

But while I may sound a little negative, lack of variation isn´t the worst crime on a technical death metal release, and if you want your death metal delivered at a frantic pace, great intensity, skill, and brutality, this album certainly applies. There´s also a couple of more abstract moments, which remind me a bit of Morbid Angel´s abtracts ideas (twisted riffs and solos), and the demonic double growling/high pitched screaming sections provide a whiff of Deicide, so Moloch certainly know the classics and how to imitate them (be influenced by them).

The sound production is professional and overall well sounding, although I could have wished for a more distinct snare tone, because often the snare and the bass drums sound the same, which means the drums become a slightly chaotic listen. I still enjoy it, but it´s a feature I would look into changing on future releases. Upon conclusion "Upon The Anvil" is a good quality death metal release by Moloch, and although it´s not without a flaws here and there, it´s still an album loaded with great assets and qualities. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
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