### V/A: Russian death metal

#### 22/04/14 || Cobal

“So many subdivisions in metal stand for either a great musical richness or a semantic dimness that classifies minimum distortions differently.”

I don’t remember many death metal compilations by country, and they’re a damn fine idea if you ask me. Recently-issued, this one proves once more that the term death metal can mean very different things, no matter what purists argue. If anything, this 17 track is more oriented to technical stuff than any other variation of the sub-genre. Something in favor of this effort is most of the tracks are well recorded and while I wasn’t familiar with any of the acts featured here, I’d say they all sound like they know their shit. In fact, I’ve always been under the impression that’s exactly Russia’s thing when it comes to metal: The underground is strong with them.

As stated some other time, I’ll hold a compilation worthy if and only if there’s something in it for me — namely a track or two that manage to catch my exquisite attention. With that regard, I’d recommend Perception Veil’s “War Catalyst” (track 6) and Incarnator’s “Dream Slave” (track 10), being both ear-piercing deploys of technicality. The later also has a dreamy turn that definitely adds for the brutal parts sound even heavier. Still, no one should assume that’s all that there is to this record.

To conclude, “Russian Death Metal” is a decent option if you’re interested in plunging into that country’s contemporary underground scene, and who knows? You might come across something that appeals you beyond my own taste.

Cheers.

7 balalaika playing bears out of 10.