Review SLAUGHTERDAY “Dread Emperor”

Slaughterday has gradually become one of the most influential German death metal bands. Founded in 2010 by Jens Finger and Bernd Reiners, the band is launching its sixth album. “Dread Emperor” is the duo’s latest impressive release.

“Dread Emperor” features ten new songs from the duo. The northern German metal force kick off the album with “Enthroned”. This is an intro to the album and far from a calm and atmospheric start. It is a dark and powerful way to start an album and sets the tone for “Dread Emperor” in a great way.

The first diabolical outburst of the album is a song called “Obliteration Crusade”. A massive wall of guitars starts the song, before Reiners’ blood-curdling scream makes it clear that this is not a Valentine’s Day soundtrack. “Obliteration Crusade” is a brutal beginning. Slaughterday strikes the perfect balance between merciless riffs, power and intricate solo parts. Combined with Reiners’ deep growls, the song showcases Slaughterday’s musical prowess.

Drawing inspiration from old-school greats such as Autopsy and Massacre, the band has included up-tempo songs like “Subconscious Pandemonium” on the album, but has not relied solely on a fast pace. A grooving element is also woven in, and combined with a great solo, it demonstrates the band’s versatile approach to death metal.

“The Forsaken One” is an excellent headbanger referencing US death metal from the ’90s. The title track is slower paced, building on a throbbing rhythm. “Dread Emperor” showcases a band that generates heaviness beyond high speed. “Dread Emperor” slowly and menacingly crawls out of the speakers and into your mind. With a few well-placed breaks, the song is a fitting namegiver for the album, reminding me of bands like Asphyx.

With “Golem”, the album also includes a cover version of a song originally penned by German metal pioneers Protector. The title track from Protector’s third album is presented here, and a full death metal blast is added to this thrash metal anthem. The barking of “Golem” alone sends a cold shiver down your spine. “Golem” fits perfectly into the context of the album, providing a great ending to “Dread Emperor”.

Slaughterday’s sixth full-length album is another blast from the north. “Dread Emperor” will help the band to cement their position in the European death metal scene. The brutal nature of the album, coupled with finesse and a passion for detail, makes “Dread Emperor” a pivotal release for the band.