Blood Monolith – The Calling of Fire (Review)

This is the debut album from US death metal band Blood Monolith.

The Call of Fire contains 28 minutes of death metal, and is brought to us by current/ex-members of Genocide Pact, Nails, Ulthar, Undeath, and Vastum. Blood Monolith are ruthlessly savage, delivering a record that’s murderously good.

This is death metal that’s frenzied and abrasive. It’s distinctly on the more extreme end of the death metal spectrum, recalling the most brutal and barbaric side of bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Defeated Sanity, and Suffocation.

The violently aggressive songs are well-crafted and delivered, despite the core of fury and hostility they have. This is a band who know what they are doing, and know how to write a song. The execution focuses on extremity and intensity, but without sacrificing the ability to write a good riff, utilise effective dynamics, or even add a touch of macabre melody in places. I’ll also mention the vocals, as I particularly like these. Dark, brutal, unforgiving; the singer’s voice sounds fantastic.

The Calling of Fire is absolutely merciless. The songs are fierce and thuggish, but not without finesse or intellect. This is the key to their success too – they are well-arranged and structured, and for all their ferocity, Blood Monolith know how to write impactful death metal. This combination of songwriting skills, effective delivery and performances, and a production that allows everything to sound like it’s made out granite, makes The Calling of Fire an extremely easy and satisfying listen. Assuming, of course, you’re accustomed to the band’s level of extremity, and you don’t mind getting your skull smashed in by their brutal ways.

I really like this. Blood Monolith have unleashed a potent beating on The Call of Fire. Make sure you wear your body armour before approaching this beast.