Come Death

Few heavy metal musicians this side of Dan Swanö juggle different band projects as energetically as Norwegian guitarist Tchort (real name Terje Vik Schei), who over the years has been involved with the likes of Green Carnation, Satyricon, Carpathian Forest, and this review's subject, Blood Red Throne, among others — often simultaneously. BRT is arguably the most unique of all Tchort's endeavors, but only because it involves death instead of black metal, his regular domain. In all other respects, 2007's Come Death is, like all BRT releases before it, a straight-up genre exercise, well-intentioned and well-executed but lacking the thrill of innovation so much as the comfort of familiarity. Therefore, even immediate highlights such as "Slaying the Lamb," "Rebirth in Blood," and blinding closer "Another Kill" satisfy and excite entirely because of their fist-clenching brutality, punishing intensity, and authentically purist DM aesthetic (think Suffocation, Morbid Angel, but not as technical) — not anything remotely groundbreaking. In fact, the band's cover of '90s Canadian death favorites Gorguts' "Disincarnated" fits right in with their remaining, self-penned material, and it's probably only the more varied approach of new vocalist Vald (always crusty but still ranging from low-end growls to high-end screeching) and eye-popping finger-work of standout bass player Erlend Caspersen that makes these songs at all memorable. So as long as you're looking to spend time with some dear old friends instead of making new ones, Come Death makes for ideal death metal company.