After being around for well over a decade and with several EP’s and splits under their belts it was about time these Chileans Death Metallers came up with their debut full-length album. Yet, the advantage of being around for some time already and having tested the waters with a handful of short players is that you have had the opportunity to refine and perfect your sound and musical concept. And that is exactly what Uttertomb has been doing over the last fifteen years.
With having these early recordings already out there through labels like Iron Bonehead Productions, Floga Records and Caligari Records, chances are that you have already stumbled upon them before. But, cry not if you haven’t, if ‘Nebulas Of Self-Desecration’ is your first encounter with Uttertomb: the band did not change a whole lot over those past years, so there is no need to do some massive digging. But while the band stayed quite close to their chosen musical path, it is clear that this album is, so far, the true pinnacle of their rather large body of work.
Uttertomb moves in the same waters as bands like Dead Congregation and Grave Miasma. Death Metal that shows a lot of ingenuity and versatility with more than a subtle Black Metal edge – especially in the oppressing atmosphere. ‘Nebulas Of Self-Desecration’ is a clinic in dynamic and multi-layered extreme metal; the swirling riffs, thunderous drums and the reverbed vocals together make for a terrifying and ominous experience. The darker and slower parts do have a bit of that doomy vibe that slightly reminds of a band like Evoken, making the album even more diverse in nature.
But although this for sure is the best work the band has ever produced, it is not yet of the same level of their European counterparts. That, in itself, is not a problem. On the contrary I would say, as the potential is certainly there and that only leaves room for further development and musical growth and maturity. Especially in the slower parts, the ones that give the music its dizzying depths, there is something to gain. In a track like ‘Opisthotonic Funerals’ for instance, it seems the band got a bit stuck in their idea of a “slow song”, with almost seven minutes and a bit of aimlessness, it is not quite the strongest on the album.
Anyone who has been enjoying themselves with the genre classics of Dead Congregation, Grave Miasma or Cruciamentum should do themselves a favour and also check out ‘Nebulas Of Self-Desecration’. And judging from the band’s development over its entire back catalogue I am confident that we have only heard a new start with this debut album, there certainly is more to come from these guys.
Pulverised Records
- Country: Singapore
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
