Reviewed by Ian Webber

Brutal in all aspects sums up this death metal outfit out of Twin Cities, Minnesota. From the arresting album cover design to the breakneck guitar work on offer; this is a sensory assault on the listener. Having said that, this debut full length release kicks off with a deceptively melodic and menacing instrumental. Immediately striking on the second track, "Oblivious To Oblivion", are Jake Martin's vocals which are a cross between a throaty growl and a guttural grunt. At no time are the lyrics clear, so in reality he adds another rhythmical element to the precise and tight musical proceedings. "The Expulsion Of Putrid Reason" ramps things up further with a thunderous jackhammer of a drum track. Focus is definitely on speed throughout each of the seven tracks but the song structures are strong as a variety of textures feed into the recording. The album closes with a few orchestral samples that sound like they were lifted from the Crystal Maze. Whilst you may think that death metal's oppressive style may result in a slugfest of an album that wallows in a muddy wall of grunge, this is not the case. The guitars are sharp and aggressive, the bass clipped and tight along with an attacking melody. Taking The Head Of Goliath have produced an authentic piece of death metal that is delivered at light speed. This will be worth seeking out if you enjoy aggressive music, with only one slight problem. The recording is very short, with the total listening time clocking in at only 20 minutes. It leaves you wanting just a little bit more.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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