Review SCALPTURE “Landkrieg”

German metal powerhouse Scalpture was founded in 2009 and has released three longplayers so far. With “Landkrieg” the death metal squad from Bielefeld, Germany has a new longplayer in the starting box and it is as massive as the earlier releases.

Scalpture continue their Bolt Thrower inspired metal and pick up where they left off in 2022 with “Feldwärts”. “Landkrieg” refers to the 30 Year War in the 17th century, which also explains why one of the songs is called “Wallenstein”. The latter is an oppressive death metal track that doesn’t follow the usual principles. With a slower tempo and evil growls the song unfolds in a sinister atmosphere. Well honed solos are also a part of “Wallenstein”, a song that shows the versatility of a genre like death metal.

Scalpture don’t exactly reinvent death metal. What makes the album a blazing release is the vehemence and relentless power they put into their songs. A counterpoint to such an approach is the beginning of the album. “The Fall…” is an acoustic intro that sets the stage for the rest of the album, which begins with “Into Catastrophe”. Now, what you get to hear is certainly the opposite of a catastrophe, as it is well constructed death metal that bursts out of the speakers. Driving riff power and a tireless working rhythm section are two pillars for this death metal monument.

As mentioned before, speed isn’t what this album is built on. Most of the songs are kept at a moderate pace, which also applies to the smashing “Schwedentrunk”. The song is a real headbanger and hits you in the face like a few glasses of Aquavit during Midsommar.

To create a good flow for the songs and the album, the band blends in the same blasting moments of speed. “Landsknecht” is a perfect example. The frenzied start leads to a mighty riff section before the song picks up speed again. It’s these tempo changes that make the album an entertaining and neck challenging experience.

“Landkrieg” is another well done album from Scalpture. The German death metal force creates metal songs with an evil grin. Grooving moments and blasting sequences are in excellent interaction and we can conclude that this band is a rising force in death metal.