This is the fifth album from German death metallers Slaughterday.
I really like Slaughterday. I’ve been following them since 2013’s very tasty Nightmare Vortex, through the following year’s Ravenous, 2016’s Laws of the Occult, 2018’s Abattoir, to their last album in 2020 – Ancient Death Triumph. Hold on though, it turns out that wasn’t their last album.
No, in 2022 they released Tyrants of Doom, which I frustratingly managed to somehow miss out on completely! They also released another EP last year, (Terrified), so now I feel totally behind. Never fear though, as Dread Emperor is here to wash all of my worries away in 40 minutes of crushing death metal carnage. Yep, Slaughterday are back again.
Slaughterday know what I like in my old-school death metal. From heavy doom to brutal speed, the band rip out the beats, riffs, and growls that I want to hear. Packaged up as a collection of snarling, monstrous songs, Dread Emperor hits the mark.
The growls are charismatic and grim, and the solos bright and arterial. The riffs never end, while the twisting leads wrap themselves around the distortion with an iron grip. The macabre melodies and sinister atmospheres are skilfully deployed, elevating well-crafted material even further. Yep, Slaughterday know how to pen a good death metal tune.
That’s the main thing here really, the quality of the songwriting. The performances are strong, and the recording sounds great, but it would all be for nothing if the songs weren’t well-written. But they are. The music demonstrates an easy familiarity with what makes death metal so effortlessly enjoyable to listen to. There are plenty of hooks to be found, be it a riff, melody, chorus, or whatever else. Slaughterday have a talent for death metal, displaying both an understanding of instant appeal catchiness and a wider set of deadly worldbuilding skills.
Like most Slaughterday releases, Dread Emperor ends with a cover song. Here it’s a Protector cover. I don’t know the original, but their version is pretty damn good.
Basically, Dread Emperor is an exemplar of old-school death metal carnage. If you like the idea of a compelling mix of bands like Autopsy, Death, Grave, and Vader, then this is for you. Slaughterday have produced another cracking record.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 