Looking for some evil blackened death metal in the vein of 80s legends Possessed, Morbid Angel, with a dash of thrash similar to today’s Witchery?  Well then look no further as I give you Sweden’s Tribulation. 

On their debut, Tribulation offer merciless blackened death metal complete with torturous arrangements, a venomous voice, and horrific interludes (that really should have been utilized more).  

‘The Horror’ opens in proper fashion (for this genre) with the 16 second short orchestral piece “Into the Jaws of Hell” (which I wish was longer because it is the perfect mood setter).  “Crypt Of Thanatophilia” follows with searing riffs and a skin tearing delivery where the lead work/ tempo change, with solo, surely resurrects the great Possessed.   “Curse of Resurrection” is relentless in its battery and chugging rhythm.   “Beyond the Horror” combines black metal style rapid fire riffing with crushing death metal bass and drums.  Nicely done.   The slight dynamic opening for “The Vampyre” is (again) too short and really would have worked well if used elsewhere during the song.  Some of the riffing for “Sacrilegious Darkness” (really, would you have darkness any other way??, haha) is such a page out of the Possessed “Seven Churches” bible.  Good for them! 

The production for “The Horror” is solid, well balanced and the vocals are not buried beneath the guitars and drums (a stunting factor all too common for this sound and style).  Although… a suggestion guys, next time make sure you incorporate more of the horror movie style sound effects it would make the music all the more (and not the it isn’t already) horrifying.