### Blood Mortized: Blood mortized

#### 04/06/09 || Smalley

I usually only like to review for bands that I’m familiar with, so I have a personal sense of context to draw upon, and, although I have none of that here (I don’t even know what the hell “mortized” means), if reviewing this one makes the K happy, then why the hell not? Besides this, Mortized has only recorded a demo anyway, so I probably already know as much about them as most of the world does…

I admit, I’m not really a fan of traditional-ish death metal; I definitely prefer melodeath, and, although I can enjoy the traditional stuff when it’s good, I don’t think that “mortized” (the album at least) qualifies as good traditional DM. A weak, wannabe atmospheric intro on “Suicide escape plan” leads into some decently heavy riffing, but my hopes were soon dashed as the first verse began; the riffing becomes lethargic and un-catchy, and the rest of the song, as a whole, just feels disorganized. And besides a few bright spots (the tribal-flavored intro of “Cannibal object” comes to mind first), it really doesn’t get better from there, as just about every track on the album either bored me, or gave me a headache (sometimes even both at the same time). There are some okay solos here, and some decent (but derivative) Amon Amarth-style melodies, but those aren’t nearly enough to fix the overall lack of sonic cohesion and energy that this band has. For one, there needs to be much, much more cooperation between what the vocals, riffing, and drumming are doing, as all three can sound like they were recorded for completely different songs at times, with the drummer in particular needing to pick his energy up a good deal. The production here is just adequate, and as for the vocals, I really can’t say much about frontman Mattias Parkkila; it’s average, Johan Hegg-ish growling and screaming. Nothing awful, and nothing great, though I might enjoy his vox a little better if it weren’t for the constant, pointless over-dub usage.

So again, I don’t mean anything against this band personally; keep working on things guys, I think you at least have the potential for goodness. But, I can’t muster any more personal interest in them as things are, or much interest in listening to this album again, as it was very unremarkable for me, and at twelve tracks, dragged rather severely; maybe some one more into death metal would enjoy this better, I don’t know…

6 what the hell is “mortized” out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2009
- Label: Vrykoblast Productions
- Website: Blood Mortized MySpace
- Blood Mortized
- Mattias Parkkila: vocals
- Benny Moberg: guitars
- Mattias Parkkila: guitars
- Mattias Borgh: drums

- 01. Suicide Escape Plan
- 02. Devil’s Vengeance
- 03. Wishing Hell
- 04. Slay Me Down To Rest
- 05. To Advance Is To Die
- 06. Cannibal Object
- 07. Funeral Ride
- 08. Autumn Whisper
- 09. Blackbird Blues
- 10. A Winter Tale
- 11. A Rope For Your Health
- 12. Mortized Of Blood