### Trauma: Suffocated in slumber

#### 14/11/08 || Daemonomania

No, this is not a concept album about a teabagging incident gone horribly awry. With that question answered, on to the review.

There are no less than 13 bands worldwide that are called Trauma. Originality – metal be thy name. And the Trauma in question used to call themselves Thanatos – put a second check in the originality box, and underline it.

In terms of the great race for Polish death metal supremacy, these guys are in fourth place. Vader had already been around for a million years (6), Behemoth was black metal, and the Decapitated kids were busy making amazingly complicated technical crayon drawings when Trauma got started in 1992. They’re beating Lost Soul by a bit and Yattering by a lot, but I doubt they’re happy about not even getting a bronze medal.

Maybe it’s because they don’t sound enough like Vader! That must be it. If I were to place Trauma within the general spectrum, I’d say a mix of Iniquity, Monstrosity, and a hint of God Dethroned. There’s some twisted, evil melodies mixed into the thrashified riffs, fine fine drumwork, and inventive song structures. The production is a little muddy, but sounds much more organic than anything else coming out of Poland today. They deserve a medal, alright, but based on “Suffocated in slumber” I don’t think they’re going to unseat the Big 3 anytime soon. Then again, I’ve heard their new shit sucks. Maybe they’re slipping into fifth.

However, that’s not to say they’re not a talented bunch. What I really appreciate about this album is the use of tried and true tricks to keep the listener interested – tempo changes, odd guitar effects, bass solos, high-pitched vox amidst the mid-range growls. Trauma know their way around a death metal song, and are quite good at putting a smile on my face with something different just when my ears were starting to wander.

Let me quickly describe things for you. Vocals that sound like most average growlers out there, but with occasional fantastic screeches just the way I like ‘em, and the even more occasional accented spoken part. The dude’s voice sounds just like the spoken parts in Napalm Death’s “Words from the exit wounds,” oddly enough. Kind of a contempt and disdain about them. Drumming that is quite complimentary to the band’s overall sound, without any wtf? or hfs! moments. The bass putters along and steps forth to show he’s doing a good job from time to time. And guitar-wise these dudes are no slouches, inserting some truly excellent hair-spinning sections amid the generally pleasing riffs. Add a strange intro or two and some fantasimo solos and you’ve got yourself a good time without the lube or the ostrich.

Tons and tons of standout moments fill “Suffocated in slumber,” and for the rabid fan of death metal who can stand a disc that won’t single-handedly bring down organized religion or give you six pack abs with each listen, I say pick it up. Nothing new, but done with a lot of energy. I’m going out to get “Imperfect like a god” as soon as I have enough money, which actually will be never. Oh, and as for the cover art…got me. Are you going to shove those worms in my mouth and nose as I sleep, suffocating me? Geez, allow me to piss my nightgown in fear.

7 disappointed Pole-vaulters out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2000
- Label: Pagan Records
- Website: www.trauma.art.pl
- Band
- Robert “Kopeæ” Jarymowicz: vocals
- Jaros³aw “Mister” Misterkiewicz: guitars
- Arkadiusz “Maly” Sinica: drums
- Pawel Kapla: bass
- (Note: these member names are just guesses, I can’t find the lineup at the time and I don’t have my liner notes on me)

- Tracklist
- 01. A Gruesome Display
- 02. Unable To React
- 03. Suffocated In Slumber
- 04. A Deep Scar
- 05. Swallow The Murder
- 06. Words Of Hate
- 07. Tools Of Mutual Harm
- 08. Dust (Kill Me)
- 09. (I busted in her face and she had)… Bloodshot Eyes